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Being
a new officer you need to understand that a detective is a
sworn, certified member who possesses all the requisite knowledge,
skills and physical abilities incumbent upon the position
of an entry level deputy sheriff. In addition to that, a detective
conducts investigations of homicides, suicides, accidental
deaths, sudden infant death syndrome deaths and other suspicious
deaths. The most important and essential job function of the
position is attitude which includes interacting positively
and cooperating with co-workers, responding politely to customers,
working as a team member, functioning under intense time pressure
and responding in a positive manner to supervision.
A
real life of a police detective is never easy. Nobody ever
said it would be easy. Working on fundamental mysteries and
heinous crimes never is. In television, a detective’s
life is different. He could be saved from a fatal danger through
the director’s cut, but you can’t do this in real
life. Television has extraordinary power to shape peoples'
expectations. Stories are being stretched to keep you interested
but in real life, it simply doesn’t work that way. You
have to be completely vigilant at all times.
You
must always know that your/our work involves considerable
risk, hazardous exposure, and personal danger. And as an officer
you must be able to take appropriate action under stress and
maintain effective public contacts, exercising tact, and discretion.
References
Smit, B. (1998) Investigating Morale amongst
Police Detectives. Unpublished report. Department of Criminology,
UNISA.
Stoddard, E. R. (1983) 'Blue Coat Crime.'
in Klockars, C.B. (ed) Thinking About Police. New York: McGraw
Hill
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