Internet Crimes Against Children Unit PD Job

fromabuick8

Hello All,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am looking to relocate to an area that has an Internet Crimes Against Children Unit in its local police department. I have 5 or 6 in mind.

Which certifications would look good to these particular units? Attempts at contacting a recruiter for some of these PDs have failed so I am trying here now. Should I try to single out officers in these units for help or is that a big no-no? I don't want to sound pushy, so I am stalling at the recruiter stage but getting nowhere.

I do have an Associate's Degree in Computer Information Systems, but I want to finish my Bachelor's wherever I end up. I meet the minimum requirements to apply for these PDs, but I want a cert or two to stand out to these particular Unit heads.

Thanks! I would appreciate any tips you may have.

cyberguypr

Only thing I will say is to make sure you are ready to see the unthinkable in one of those jobs. Without a doubt a very difficult job that messes some people up forever. I warn you because I still can't get over the fact that some guy here had absolutely no idea about the abhorrent things he would be exposed by doing law enforcement forensics.

Iristheangel

I would look into computer forensics certs, CISSP, etc. You're going to have to understand the chain of custody REALLY well. This will be a job where the focus is 50% on finding the evidence and 50% on preserving the integrity of the evidence and making sure said integrity is bulletproof for potential court cases.

Like cyberguypr said, the mental part is going to probably be the hardest. I had a friend who worked at Myspace back in the day that it was popular and she was on the team that had to check for potentially illegal uploaded content, threats, suicide threats, missing persons, etc. Seeing horrible things like children and animals being exploited, abused, etc was the "norm" in a job like that. Also having to notify law enforcement to investigate missing persons or suicide threats to find out the kids were missing for good or someone was dead. Be prepared for that. Working for the PD, you don't have the option to turn it off when it gets too graphic or horrible because your job will be trying to find any evidence in the tape.

Someone has to do that job and if it's a job you can handle, my hat is off to you. I am glad there are folks that can because they will eventually catch the folks do that do it. I know I couldn't do it but I'm thankful others can.

fromabuick8

Thanks for the replies. Those are things I have thought of - I have a pretty tough stomach

I forgot to mention - I do not have any official IT work experience. I see that CISSP requires 5 years work experience. Do you know of any similar certs that you can just study for and take? Like, without the required work experience.

Thanks!

Danielm7

A friend of mine works in a similar unit, I passed on the interview offer when he told me what he deals with. So no IT experience, an AS degree, no police background and no contacts? That's a tough position to get into. From the ones I've seen, the only people they brought in that didn't already have forensics experience were police officers who were being trained by their dept.

TechGromit

fromabuick8 wrote: »

I am looking to relocate to an area that has an Internet Crimes Against Children Unit in its local police department. I have 5 or 6 in mind.

This sounds highly specialized, sounds like something the FBI would have, not your local PD. I would guess only the largest cities would have such a unit.

the_Grinch

While my Unit isn't tasked with this type of work, I do work with and support the Unit that does exactly what you are asking. We are a State level agency which is why we have a Unit that specializes on this (though they will work any computer related crimes). While my agency will take you, send you to the academy and then put you right into the Computer Unit most do not. For any local PD you are basically guaranteed to be working the road for several years before you have a shot at a specialized unit. Also, with child related cases, often the local departments do not have a unit dedicated to the work and it is sent to the County or State level agencies. In New Jersey, minus the bigger cities, the County Prosecutor's Offices or State level agencies (such as State Police) handle the cases.

At our County Prosecutor's Offices you would be working an entry level Unit for a number of years before branching out (typically Grand Jury Unit). All that aside, you'll also want to prepare physically because there are very few civilian level positions doing this work. They do exist, but my experience has been they are limited in numbers.

My parting words will be that you should truly think long and hard about wanting to do this type of work for a living. I've been with my agency for seven months and I thought I was prepared, but I wasn't. As others have pointed out someone has to view it and then tag it as evidence. State laws are typically based on the number of images or videos discovered and as such that means leaving no stone unturned. It's quite draining and heartbreaking to see what people are capable of. I could tell you stories that would keep you up at night and make you so sick to your stomach that the flu would feel like a simple case of indigestion. I could send you some public links to cases that have come up if you want.

Last piece of advice, look for internships at any agency you are interested in. Many agencies have them (Feds do for sure and I know just about every State level agency typically does) and I know in my State they sometimes will pick up the interns once they graduate. It is noble work and we need all the help we can get, but I'm always one for not jumping into a position especially in law enforcement. What you think you want today might not be what you want tomorrow.

EnderWiggin

So, no IT experience, but you want to go directly into a highly specialized field of IT. And in a position that would essentially be the only legal way to look at child pornography?

Red flag. Big red flag.

jamesleecoleman

EnderWiggin,

Thats messed up to point out.
The OP has a degree and is working on another one. There's nothing wrong with wanting to defend people who can't defend themselves. I would love to defend people who can't do it themselves.. which is why I'm working getting into InfoSec.

Honestly, shame on you for even writing that.

Iristheangel

That's like saying every person who wants to be a cop is only doing it so they can legally beat people up or every person who wants to get into the military is doing it so they can legally shoot people. Utterly ridiculous. Just because some of us can't do the job doesn't mean that someone has ill intensions for wanting to do it.

TechGromit

Iristheangel wrote: »

That's like saying every person who wants to be a cop ....

Like I say, A police state is Great.... if your the police.

stryder144

Have you considered getting a computer forensics degree? If not, you might want to if you want an advantage. If not, look into getting the training and certification for computer forensics, such as CHFI, ACE, etc. Get familiar with the vocabulary of forensics, law enforcement, e-discovery, etc. Buy books on computer forensics, learn the tools, etc. Follow computer forensics companies and individuals on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Also, volunteer with your local PD. Many have auxiliary units. Join computer forensics meet ups, groups, etc that are local to your area.

While it is possible to jump straight into computer forensics realize it can be a challenge. I've had the discussion with my wife about it and the only area that unnerves me is the child exploitation piece. Have access to a good counselor, spiritual leader, etc who can assist you with decompressing and coping with what you will see.

Good luck, my friend.

the_Grinch

By policy, most departments require a place away from electronic equipment, that is meant to be an area to decompress. Also, a counselor of some type is available to speak with if and when needed. Now practice is often quite different than policy.

blatini

EnderWiggin wrote: »

So, no IT experience, but you want to go directly into a highly specialized field of IT. And in a position that would essentially be the only legal way to look at child pornography?

Red flag. Big red flag.

Or maybe the user has been abused? Maybe family member or friend? Maybe none of that has happened and they are just a normal person who wants to help?

There's no need to jump to the worst conclusion with zero reason.

bigdogz

You may be required to have forensic training / certification. You have to also understand the chain of custody and documentation during the forensic process.
I know some of my fellow police who work this and the average time for them to be in or rotate is 3.5 years due to what is seen and how children are treated.