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Careers: Police/I want to be a homicide detective

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Expert: - 11/18/2007


Question
I want to be a homicide detective or a FBI missing persons agent but I herd that if you want to a homicide detective you have to be a cop and I never want to be a cop because i do not want to be exposed like that. Do you think that it would be better to become a FBI missing Persons agent of a homicide detective

Answer
Jillian,

  Sorry to tell you that you have apparentely chosen the wrong career path.  There is no way that a person can step right out of civilian life into the position of homicide detective.  You most likely have gotten your ideas about the position from television which is totally unrealistic.  Without serving at least ten years on the street as a uniformed police officer (not cop) you would never have the skills necessary to do the job.  I realize that many young people are getting the wrong idea about police work by watching shows like CSI and other shows that are completely made up and do not depict police work as it really happens.  

  So yes, you heard correctly, you will be in uniform for about ten years before you would ever be considered for the position of homicide detective.


   Sorry I missed the past about the FBI.  I know nothing about the FBI besides working with them but I do know that you will need a college degree and that the hiring process is so strict that only a tiny fraction of people who apply to the FBI actually get hired.  And by the way the FBI doesn't have a missing person responsibility.  Local police handle missing persons.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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