Switching the cubicle for gun and badge

As I was rummaging through file cabinets, desk drawers and wastebaskets during the execution of a search warrant, I was surprised when I found a series of handwritten numbers written in pencil on the back of a torn cable utility envelope. What were they? After I investigated and discovered they were bank account numbers, I laughed and yelled, Yes!

The other police detectives — who were pulling cocaine, marijuana, and heroin from cookie jars, ovens and cowboy boots — stopped and just stared at me. They were gathering pounds of dope worth tens of thousands of dollars, and I was holding up a torn-up envelope I found at the bottom of a trash can. I forgot that many criminal detectives don't get as excited as I do when dealing with financial account information. However, if you're overly enthusiastic about financial fraud examinations, this column might be for you.

I once worked as a civil investigator for a check-cashing and payroll company in the private sector until I decided to be an officer and fraud examiner in a police department. Here are seven reasons I made the switch.

1. To protect and to serve

A colleague recently asked me why I now work for a police department. I gave the standard answer that almost every police applicant recites: "Because I want to protect and serve the public." Cheesy answer, but true. Most law enforcement officials join their agencies not to make money but for these principles.