2 answers
Brenden
Student
Anchorage, Alaska
1
Question
Updated
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First-Line Supervisors of Police & Detectives? and Police & Sheriff's Patrol officers. "What was required of you from the police force (such as skills, or requirements), to gain , Superior and/or Management positions?, and why did you take such a big responsibility?"
Greetings and salutations, My name is Brenden. I'm a High school Graduate, looking to get into Homeland Security and Policing. I'm trying to prepare for my career, by looking for guidance or advice when getting into this field of work.
I've always been interested in aiding and protecting people, but I never knew where to start or how to begin within this career. Or- Mainly what to expect. So hopefully my questions I ask bring me some for of clarity during my pursuits.
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2 answers
Scott Fisher
Painter
4
Answers
Bloomington, Illinois
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Some police departments have ride along programs or internship opportunities. I would suggest talking to your local police department and ask them for advice.
Great questions Brenden. I am glad you are asking , I am not in this field but I would suggest contacting your local police department and asking for a ride along or internship oppertunity. I am sure they can give you good advice.
Scott recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the suggestion!
Brenden
Walter Ozeki
Retired law enforcement and current security professional
33
Answers
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
Walter’s Answer
Hello Brenden,
Your insightful question has a straightforward response. The most crucial piece of advice I can offer is to not shy away from aiming for a leadership role, but remember, there are no easy paths. I devoted 30 years of my life to the police department, with over two decades spent overseeing and managing both patrol officers and detectives.
The most significant step you can take is to thoroughly understand the job, including all its aspects and responsibilities. Whether it's a field or investigative role, it's challenging to manage others without a comprehensive understanding of each unit's duties to ensure they're performing correctly.
In many respects, the operation of field units remains fairly consistent, but you still need to grasp the basics of conducting field investigations, traffic investigations, administrative investigations, use of force, laws of arrest, policies, and procedures, etc. This is because you are charged with ensuring that operations are carried out correctly.
In the later stages of my career, I was in charge of the detectives division, which included about 18 specialized units ranging from homicide to financial crimes. It becomes your duty to ensure that investigations are carried out thoroughly, which means you need to have at least a basic understanding of how each unit conducts their specific investigations, as each has its own specific requirements.
It may seem like an overwhelming task, but with hard work and a commitment to continuous learning beyond the minimum requirements, it can be managed. Ultimately, we all decide whether the journey is worth it or not. From my personal experience, it undoubtedly is.
Your insightful question has a straightforward response. The most crucial piece of advice I can offer is to not shy away from aiming for a leadership role, but remember, there are no easy paths. I devoted 30 years of my life to the police department, with over two decades spent overseeing and managing both patrol officers and detectives.
The most significant step you can take is to thoroughly understand the job, including all its aspects and responsibilities. Whether it's a field or investigative role, it's challenging to manage others without a comprehensive understanding of each unit's duties to ensure they're performing correctly.
In many respects, the operation of field units remains fairly consistent, but you still need to grasp the basics of conducting field investigations, traffic investigations, administrative investigations, use of force, laws of arrest, policies, and procedures, etc. This is because you are charged with ensuring that operations are carried out correctly.
In the later stages of my career, I was in charge of the detectives division, which included about 18 specialized units ranging from homicide to financial crimes. It becomes your duty to ensure that investigations are carried out thoroughly, which means you need to have at least a basic understanding of how each unit conducts their specific investigations, as each has its own specific requirements.
It may seem like an overwhelming task, but with hard work and a commitment to continuous learning beyond the minimum requirements, it can be managed. Ultimately, we all decide whether the journey is worth it or not. From my personal experience, it undoubtedly is.