I was talking to someone on Facebook and he was like, "What are you going to major in?" So I replied, "Criminal justice or political science." And the discussion went on and he bashed poli. sci. His loss. Anyway, he mentioned that he used to be into forensic sciences and all that. And so I was wondering if anyone here on TB is/was a cop, state trooper, deputy for the sheriff, etc.? Experiences with these people, both good and bad? You know..all that.
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Have you ever been a policeman or something related?
- Thread starter afzoomie67
- Start date
I have an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Corrections and was a Parole Officer here in Texas for 6 or so years. Back when I graduated (1979), forensics was pretty much in its infancy. Where I went to school there is now a forensics section of the university. If I were entering the field now, that's the direction I would take as science is the future, not ol' fashioned police beat work like it used to be.
Just my opinion. I've been out of the business for over 15 years.
Just my opinion. I've been out of the business for over 15 years.
Nothing, but I think the future of law enforcement or crime solving will be science. Well, that and luck? LOL
This is just my opinion of course.
Nothing, but I think the future of law enforcement or crime solving will be science. Well, that and luck? LOL
This is just my opinion of course.
I see. Why do you think that?
I am a criminal justice major , just completeing my practicum this summer, basically being a intern at a juvenile probation office as thats what I intend to do. After the internship I have my bachelors and maybe a job. Cant help with the cop aspect, never wanted to be one.I can say that you should get a CJ degree with emphasis in IT, computer related classes. They offer that at my school and its a few more terms of school but the job field opens up and pay increases Substantially.
I like to watch CSI. LOL
Like I said, it's just my opinion, but based on my experience with folks in the da's office, solving crimes don't end with the police, but in the courts where convictions take place.
Then again, I could be wrong. I was never LEO, just a parole officer.
Funnily enough, because of programs like CSI and whatnot, there seems to be a lot of people taking on forsensics courses (undergrad and post grad). There are quite a few of them over here, yet only a couple of them are actually viewed as worthwhile if trying to get into the field (something the universities won't tell you).
There are also practically no jobs in the forensics fields, especially considering the sheer number of people who studied it. I have a few friends in forensics who aren't fond of the way it's going. Not enough people to get the workload done and lots of cuts being made, however, that's over here, things in the US could be very different!
There are also practically no jobs in the forensics fields, especially considering the sheer number of people who studied it. I have a few friends in forensics who aren't fond of the way it's going. Not enough people to get the workload done and lots of cuts being made, however, that's over here, things in the US could be very different!
I have nothing but respect for police, firefighters, paramedics...etc,but after 17 years in the military and 3 more until retire I don't ever want to be in the position of carrying a weapon in situations that are stressful and cause fear then rely on instinct and judgment. No amount of training prepares you for that and when instinct takes over and your survival is at stake the last thing on your mind is "will this be a potential lawsuit"
I'm not a police officer, but I do cites for municipal codes, most of the time when I need to cite someone the police usually take it over so I can be freed up as a lifeguard. As an EMT ocean lifeguard my first priority is obviously water response and first aid though.
I'd like to go into the Army after college, but then after that.. I don't know what I'd want to do.. I could imagine, though, that sitting behind a desk after being in the army would get really boring..
Yep, I can name about 6 people I have known who at some point were trying to take that route. Mostly women. And most (maybe all, I haven't talked to a few in a while) of them changed their major.
Unrelated to that, the 'CSI-effect' itself (the basis of the show) is a notorious burden to law enforcement.
Now retired, but did 20 years NYPD which included 6 years as a Detective Captain.
All I can say is that REAL police work is NOTHING like you see on CSI shows.
The crime scene people DO NOT interiew suspects, solve the crimes, etc.
They collect the evidence which the case detective asks them too, and delivers it to the lab for processing (at least in the NYPD).
Crimes are still solved by police officers and detectives.
All I can say is that REAL police work is NOTHING like you see on CSI shows.
The crime scene people DO NOT interiew suspects, solve the crimes, etc.
They collect the evidence which the case detective asks them too, and delivers it to the lab for processing (at least in the NYPD).
Crimes are still solved by police officers and detectives.
The CSI effect is a huge burden on law enforcement. Every scene you go to, the victim expects you'll pull out some magic BS to discover "whodunnit". It's amazing the well educated, intelligent people who think you can lift a finger print, and "run it" to instantly find out who it belongs to.
I don't watch CSI or Cops or anything like that. But from what you're all saying it's similar to how people think they're good at science because they watch the Big Bang Theory.
