County Detective Specializes In Solving Baltimore Crimes
Economic/financial crimes - which are under-reported, difficult to prosecute, and include such activities as mortgage or investment fraud, identity theft, and securities and commodities fraud - increasingly feature malicious internet-based scams, viruses and codes in their commission.
A special unit within the Baltimore County Police Department now known as the Financial/Cyber Crimes team handles this growing crime segment for Baltimore County, Maryland.
One person on that team is Detective Dave Donnelly, who found his way there after several years spent in finance and then working his way up through the ranks of the police department.
What inspired you to enter your current field?
"I had always wanted to work for the FBI and be able to help people and do exciting work. I had been selling financial products immediately after college; and I wanted a career change. I began the process of applying to the FBI; and I was eventually accepted for a civilian position with them; but family considerations made it more practical for me to stay local.
I went with the Baltimore County Police in 1998; and for the last six years, I have been a detective in what was previously the Economic Crimes unit which is now known as the Financial/Cyber Crimes unit."
How does your educational background relate to your current role?
"The Police Department did not initially require a degree; but my degree in finance has helped me progress and handle more diverse cases. Due to my mortgage experience, I attended a mortgage fraud summit meeting, wrote a summary of the problems in Maryland, and, as a result, took on more mortgage fraud cases, and then became part of the local office of the FBI's Mortgage Fraud Task force."
How has your education helped to further your career and contribute to your success?
"I tend to focus on 'financial' crimes which are usually well thought out. My education helps me identify paperwork which has been altered to defraud. For example, we were able to identify mortgage modification schemes where the mailers were altered to look as if they were coming from actual lenders; and another where an investment advisor was using promissory notes disguised as investment contracts to defraud."
What is some advice you can offer others looking to go into your field?
"First, I would identify what it was I wanted to do, then learn as much about that as I could. Then, I would work hard and stay focused to attain that goal."
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years. Her current interests, in which she has several certifications, are metaphysics and the healing arts. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times.
