I'm a senior in high school. I live in New York. I know for a fact for my career, I'm going to be in Criminal Justice area. I've ALWAYS been interested in it.
I'm tied between two jobs. CSI and Police Detectives. I want to be a police detective and investigate crimes and tlak to the suspects and I also want to be a CSI to analyze the data at the crime scene. Can I do all this? Do I have to go to college for both of them to them ? PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS! Thanks!
2007-03-24 13:52:31 · 9 answers · asked by *Tiffani Marie* 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
People working in those positions are at least with a master's degree/
2007-03-24 14:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by OC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to be a csi then yes, you do need to go to college.If you live in NY you should apply to John Jay College of Criminal Justice, they have an excellent program.
If you want to be a detective, you don't necessarily have to attend college. You would have to be hired by a police department and start off as a uniformed patrol officer(typically 2 years), then if there is an opening you would have to take the test. At this point having a degree would be an advantage. Not too mention having a degree you can get paid more than an officer with no degree. Either way you should go to college, and give yourself more options.
2007-03-24 18:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by evil_paul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be a detective you will have to get hired by a police dept. and become an officer first. Then get appointed / promoted to detectives. Most departments require a college degree but it all depends on where your applying. You'll still find departments that hire with a high school diploma but rare.
I myself am a K-9 Officer and a licensed Evidence tech. I process the scene, collect, and submit photos and evidence to the lab for results. I don't do the actual tests on it. So there is that option as well.
As for a CSI / crime scene investigator there are many agencies that function without being a sworn law enforcement member. You process the scene, collect evidence, and test it. You’re the one that actually finds the evidence needed to solve the crime but in most cases you submit your findings to law enforcement for them to complete the case. Many agencies like that do not have police powers and can't arrest anyone. You’re the lab coat.... and yes they do require a college degree usually in a science / forensic field.
So ya see it all depends on what role you want to have. Either way your job’s are important… but please continue with your education. It’s very important. Good luck
2007-03-24 14:13:49 · answer #3 · answered by A.R.G.O.S. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to school. ITT School of Technology has schools all over the nation ,maybe one near you..They have a school of Criminal Justice that leans toward the scientific approach of CJ....
You still have to be able to pass an entrance test........
Cops...Have to pass a background test, if accepted you go to a police academy for a few months ,if you pass this plus a strict physical test ,you graduate ..applicants to local police agencies may be chosen.......Than like every thing else you work your way up to Detective..Make no mistake this takes a long time and you must work your A** of to prove yourself to be a detective......
So which ever you choose neither one is easier than the other......You have to work hard to accomplish the things you are wanting to do.......
Stay in school, study and do very well in mathematics (not arithmetic) ,sciences ,including chemistry and biology and score well on your entrance exams to any place that you may consider for your training......These places are competitive, don't think you can slide by with low grades...They want the best and you have to prove that you have the guts to be the best....
Good Luck friend...I really hope you succeed in whatever it is that you do in your life.
2007-03-24 14:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by cesare214 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CSI are not as glamorous as television make them out to be. yes, a fascinating job at times, but not what you think. As a deputy, I investigate most of my own crime scenes unless it's a major crime and then we have a task force that takes over. Usually, the task force is a regional thing. It may encompass 3-5 counties. This might be an avenue for you. Good luck!!
2007-03-24 14:12:02 · answer #5 · answered by spag 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes if you want to talk to suspects and collect DNA while on scene sure you can do that, here's how. Go be an actress for Hollywood and get on a police show. What you see on TV is NOT real. And to further help you people, that take criminal justice in college usually don't make it or are not good police officers. Take music or something that you want to do then become a person in blue.
2007-03-24 14:02:57 · answer #6 · answered by firemanwfd17 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Two schools of thought, if you can afford to go on towards college and if you do well law school, you would not limit your thought to just detective maybe prosecutor
if post education is not an option, then maybe take a look at enter police as beat cop then work your way to deactivate
2007-03-24 14:13:08 · answer #7 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As one poster pointed out already, television far away from reality.
2007-03-24 15:32:28 · answer #8 · answered by endlessknowledge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes!! you do have to go to college in order for you to know what you are doing.
2007-03-24 14:00:54 · answer #9 · answered by keziah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋