Investigate How to Become a Detective

Becoming a detective isn't like what you see on Law and Order, or True Detectives. While it is an exciting career, it doesn't necessarily entail being involved in thrilling cases daily. Read on to take a realistic look into a career as a detective.

WHAT IS A DETECTIVE?

Detectives are either public or private. A private detective is usually ‘for hire,' working directly with the public instead of going through a law enforcement agency like police detectives have to. Detectives are sworn law enforcement officers who conduct criminal investigations.

Essentially, a detective is highly trained to solve complex crimes, whether a felony or misdemeanor. Detectives aren’t usually in uniform, they operate in everyday street clothes and drive in unmarked cars. They are almost always armed with a weapon, though. Due to the nature of their job, they have to carry a gun.

Ranking higher than a police officer, the police detective earns a higher salary reflective of the position. Because of that, police detectives also require a higher level of education and training. All detectives start out as police officers, which is mandatory before being considered for a police detective position.

JUST THE FACTS

A detective’s work setting will vary as widely as their specialties, which also depends on the part of the government they are working for, whether local, state, or federal. However, all detectives perform investigations through gathered evidence. Typical work-related duties of a detective are:

• Piece together the story/case though investigative procedures
• Observe, interview and/or interrogate witnesses, and suspects
• Work closely with other enforcement agencies assigned to the crime scene
• Interact with first responders such as police officers, forensics unit, and laboratories
• Involvement with raids and arrests
• Charge suspects
• Keep thorough records of all investigations
• Write/record reports
• Testify in court
• Travel and longer hours may be part of the job, depending on the case

Detective assignments can include undercover narcotics, juvenile crimes, internal affairs, robbery, family violence, and homicide.

HOW TO BECOME A DETECTIVE

• Get a degree. An associate is the minimum, but a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, political science, or criminal justice is recommended.
• Complete police academy. A lot depends on what jurisdiction you’re in, but police academy lasts, on average, 6 months.
• Get fit — physically and mentally. You’ll need to pass tests measuring both your physical and mental health.
• Pass a polygraph test
• Work as police officer for 3 to 4 years
• After completing a probationary period, you can take the promotion exam
• Interview for a promotion to detective
• Get hired and begin to work as a detective
• To move forward from a detective to become a sergeant, lieutenant, or captain, you must have 5 years of work experience, along with a satisfactory record.

ESSENTIAL JOB QUALITIES

• Multi-tasker: As a detective, you’ll have a lot going on at one time, and you’ll need to be able to balance different cases.
• Communication: You will need to be able to speak clearly and effectively to all parties involved with your case.
• Writing skills: Part of your workload will be writing. You need to be a good writer to produce understandable and detailed case reports.
• Detail-oriented: You need to pay close attention to crime scenes while absorbing even the most minute detail.
• Patience: Unless you get pretty lucky, cases can take years to be solved.
• Strength and stamina: In a detective’s line of work, physical force is inevitable. Physical strength is important to the job.
• Empathetic: Detectives have to work with victims and the families of victims during sometimes horrific times. Maintaining a perspective will allow you to stay empathetic to them.
• Good judgment: Making certain decisions can quite literally be a life or death situation. Good judgment is paramount.
• Leadership: Detectives head up investigations, and people look to them for guidance.

YOUR DUE DILIGENCE

You must be at least 21 years old, a United States citizen, and pass a background check. You’ll need to have gone through a police academy, and have police officer experience, as well. Educational requirements vary by state, some have a minimum requirement of a high school diploma or GED, while other departments require a minimum of an associate degree in criminal justice or related fields. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree helps with quicker promotions. You’ll need a clean record, and a valid driver’s license, as well.

Also, to be hired as a detective, you must be physically fit and pass a fitness test, not to mention, pass a drug and polygraph test. Hearing, vision, and psych evaluations are also required if you want to work as a detective. If these tests aren’t taken or passed, you will not be able to be hired as a detective.

Becoming a police officer only takes about 6 months. Becoming a detective takes longer due to the experience requirements that need to be fulfilled. You’ll need to have a minimum of 4 to 5 years on the force before being eligible to take the detective promotion exam. Some police departments will allow a college degree to replace one year of experience.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DETECTIVE AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

To work as a private investigator, you do not need to first be a police officer. Each state has its own licensing requirements to work as a private investigator. Private investigators work for law offices, corporations usually under a contract, or they can be self-employed. There are no educational requirements to become a private detective, nor is there any law enforcement experience necessary.

You may still want to consider getting a degree in criminal justice or law to create better job opportunities for yourself. Private investigators tend to make less than detectives do.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAREERS

Once a police officer is promoted to detective, they may be placed in a position based on the department’s need. There are a few different areas a detective can work within:

• Cyber-crime detectives help to solve internet-related crimes. They may monitor chat rooms for crimes against minors, investigate online identity theft crimes, and related scams. Cyber-crime detectives may take extra courses in different computer-related areas to help broaden their base of knowledge.

• Homicide detectives work on cases where there has been a death and foul play is involved. Generally, one detective will head up a team of two or more other detectives put on the case. Crime scene investigation, interviewing witnesses, working with the local prosecutors, and appearing in court are all parts of the homicide detective's job duties.

• Narcotics detectives are on the case when drugs purchases and sales have been involved. They work on all levels; local, state, and federal, identifying drug-related crimes. The narcotics detective may go undercover for extended periods of time in order to build a case against drug dealers.

• Cold case detectives try to solve closed cases of missing children and adults. Also, unsolved cases are given to the cold case detective to work on. They work at all levels of government, reviewing the case files, interviewing detectives and others originally on the case, in hopes of solving crimes that have laid dormant for years.

OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK AND SALARY

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 2022 average salary for detectives was $91,610 with the top 10 percent earning $150,570, or more. Detectives can generally anticipate excellent benefits with early retirement options as well. Most officers, police, and detectives, belong to their local unions.

Highest Paying States For Detective Positions in 2022