becoming a cop

[hernandez.amie]

Hi everyone!

I'm going to give the same story that everyone else gives: I want to be a cop. It's something that has always appealed to me.

I live in Miami, but would eventually want to move to Seattle.

Now, I'm going to be going to school to get a certificate as a Crime Scene Technician. I want to one day become a homicide detective, and maybe even move up into the FBI.

Instead of getting my certificate in CST, should I do something in law enforcement?

Edit: Coming September I will also be joining the Navy, hopefully as an MA.

[retired]

How is joining the FBI moving up?

[just joe]

Crime Scene Technician? Really? You don't want to start the process by having potential employers laugh at you, do you?

[Starfleet Officer]

A certificate for crime scene tech might be useful in getting a job as a crime scene tech. It's not going to help you become a cop. Your agency will teach you whatever they want you to know about their crime scene/evidence procedures.

The best way to utilize education to give you a leg up in LE hiring is to obtain skills they WON'T teach you. So I personally would look for things that are helpful to law enforcement, but that aren't law enforcement specific.

[steelcityk9cop]

Enjoy your time in the Navy... it will help you later on in "the process". Your career goals are a little lofty right now... to become a homicide detective will take years as a street cop...years as an investigator..years as a specialty investigator...then you MAY get a shot at homicide. By the time you land that gig you MAY have already passed the age limitations for Special Agent with the FBI.

[L-1]

Now, I'm going to be going to school to get a certificate as a Crime Scene Technician. I want to one day become a homicide detective, and maybe even move up into the FBI.

Please, please, please tell me your career plan is not based on what you've seen on the TV show CSI????

[jrd_1980]

But in CSI the actual crime, investigation, returning of forensics, and arrest all come within 60 minutes...well minus commercial breaks lol. Who wouldn't want to base it off of Ted Danson aka Sam Malone on CSI

[hernandez.amie]

Please, please, please tell me your career plan is not based on what you've seen on the TV show CSI????

LOL.

No, it's not. I've always been interested in becoming a cop or crime scene technician ever since a CSI came to my school.

[just joe]

LOL.

No, it's not. I've always been interested in becoming a cop or crime scene technician ever since a CSI came to my school.

Do you understand that very few police departments have civilian E crews/CSIs/whatever you want to call them? It is typically a competive posting reserved for officers who have put some time in on the street.

[Chomp]

So, if I'm tracking correctly and though you're from Miami, of all the places you could want to be a cop, you choose Seattle?

We've lost about a dozen guys to Seattle in the last year; laterals with 5 years on start at $84,648/year.

Not that I've been looking or anything.

[GoldBadge]

I'm thinking that there are crime scene technicians who collect evidence and they are probably cops who moved into that position, and then there are forensic scientists in the lab who analyze what has been collected. They may be hired separately. I know because I was once a forensic science major in college, and I know that training for that position involves the use of physics, calculus, and chemistry. Not something that can easily be done in house.

[Mulgrave600]

I don't understand people who say 'I'm going to be a cop and then after five years I'm going to be this sort of specialist cop'. Just worry about getting in at entry level, do your time at the coal face and then decide what to do after you actually have some experience and knowledge of the job.

I probably wrote less than 20 tickets in my first year. Now I'm in traffic and write 20 per shift. It takes time to figure out if you want to specialise.

[L-1]

Now, I'm going to be going to school to get a certificate as a Crime Scene Technician. I want to one day become a homicide detective, and maybe even move up into the FBI.

I hope you understand that getting a certificate as a crime scene tech when you want to become a homicide detective or FBI Agent makes about as much sense as getting a certificate as a dental hygienist when you want to become a surgeon or oncologist.

[PhilipCal]

And, then there is the imaginary/un-certified route. We have one regular denizen of the Bat Cave who has gone this route. He spends his off time in Fantasy Land where he knocks back a few cool ones with Bat-Man, 007, Captain Midnight, Dudley Do Right, and Rocky the Flying Squirrel.

His appointment does NOT require any particular training or certification, proficiency with firearms,or any other mandatory aspects of being an officer.

There is absolutely ZERO cost or effort in obtaining this exalted status, as the appointment is by one's self, with jurisdiction limited by the bounds of an as yet unexplored universe.

Check this option out if all else fails. OK, seriously, read the replies of my colleagues once more. You won't get better advice.

[SmallCityCop]

Put your time in and pay your dues first.