If i wanted to be a forensic/homicide detective how many years would i first have to be a police officer?

Question

I am a resident of new jersey and i would like to go into the feild of criminal justice... but i am only twelve. I am not asking this question so you can all lecture and repremand me on how i shouldn't choose a career at this age; i can go to my mother for that. I would like to know how many years you would have to be a poliece officer before becoming a either a forensic crime seen investigator, homocide detective, or prosacuter for either new jersey, new york, massachutes, or connecticute. Also, what would i have to major in in college? I'm pretty sure it would be criminal justice but i'm not quite sure. thank you everyone!

Answer 1

some jurisdictions don't require you to be a police officer to be  crime scene investigator. in some areas, a police department might hire civilians who work under a police officer, as crime scene investigator. other jurisdictions will only allow sworn police officers to have this job. if you don't want to be a cop, see if anyone is hiring civilians. before anyone is going to hire you, you're going to have to have a ba in something. the closer to the law it is the better your chances.

homicide investigator is a whole different story. only police officers can become hom. investigators. the time it takes to go from patrol officer to hom. det. varies. size of the dept. is one thing you have to consider...the larger the dept. means that many more people want the same job you do so you're going to have to wait.  you're also talking 4 yrs. of college, which you already know.

to be a prosecutor,  you're going to college for a min. of 7 years.4 years undergraduate studies...3 years in law school. after graduating from law school, then you've got to pass the state bar exam.

good luck.

Answer 2

Years on the job don't necessarily qualify you for a detective position,you will be required to take an exam or exams,and need to score a min minimum,then you are placed on a list,there can be 30 people in front of you or 2.alot of different things to qualify.

A criminal justice major in college will help you in alot of ways

Either way,law enforcement can be very rewarding,although no t easy work,many members of my family were and still are police officers in Jersey.

And good for you for thinking about your future now,and also in public service,its never too early to ask.good luck!