I watch Law and Order SVU and have become inspired to become a detective. Is it realistic?

beverly

While the things you see on that show are certainly dramatized, it is easily possible for you to become an officer (and from there a detective).

Keep your nose clean and do well in school - yes, such things can matter. Look into whether or not your local police department has a 'cadet' program - some departments hire teens to do some auxiliary functions, and in some cases cadets even get to ride with police officers on calls and write minor reports. When you hit 18, you can look into some non-sworn positions such as CSO (community service officer) or dispatcher (although in many departments these jobs have an age requirement of 21 as well).

If you plan on attending college, look into an 'Administration of Justice' type degree - there are many two year (AA) degrees in this area, and recently many colleges have created 4 year (BS) degrees in this field as well. You can also consider putting yourself through a reserve or 'regular' police academy - although it is almost certain you will have to be at least 20 1/2 to do so since you will need to do firearms training in the academy and in most cases you need to be 21 by the time the academy is completed. While many departments are willing to hire you and pay to put you through an academy, if you find that you have the time and money to do it yourself it will make you a much stronger candidate when you get around to applying for the job.

Ben V

If you're expecting being a detective to be like it is on Law & Order, than you're in for a disappointment. But if not...more power to ya!

It's a little bit idealized and glamorized...being a cop is difficult to manage psyically, menatlly and psychologically...especially for those who deal with crimes against women and children. There are also major political aspects of the job. Detectives are usually very experienced uniform cops, or have a strong criminal justice education. You have to work hard and for a few years to EARN a job as a detective...but good luck if that's what you want to do.

Estelle G

Finish High School and I'm betting they don't have criminology courses in HS, but they do in College and go from there.

CAT^

The difference between SVU and a genuine detective is that on SVU two detectives work one case at a time. In the real world we get slammed with 50 or more cases a month.

EXCUSE ME WTF R U DOIN?

No, real detectives don't try that hard. And chances are that you won't be able to solve every single case like they do. Oh, and most of your murders will be black people, not white.

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