Detective
How to Become a Detective
Job Duties of a Detective
Necessary Skills and Qualities of a Detective
Detective Salaries
Influential Professional Detectives
Leading Organizations for Detectives
Top Cities for Detective Jobs
Other Careers of Interest
How to become a Detective
Applicants for the position of detective must have graduated from high school, and some departments will require college level coursework or even an associate's or bachelor's degree from those seeking detective positions. Many junior colleges, colleges, and universities offer programs in law enforcement or administration of justice. Competitive written exams taken as part of the application process and previous education and experience also factor in when employers are looking at job candidates in this field. Individuals are interviewed by senior officers and their backgrounds are investigated. Some agencies will include an interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist, or given a personality test. Most agencies seeking individuals to fill detective positions give lie detector and drug tests to applicants. Newly hired detectives generally learn the bulk of their job duties and responsibilities on the job, often in a twelve to fourteen week police academy. Many agencies offer tuition assistance for employees working toward degrees in criminal justice, police science, administration of justice, or public administration. Those who earn such degrees are usually eligible for a pay raise as a result.
What does a Detective do?
Detectives are plainclothes officers who perform investigations to gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. They conduct interviews, examine records, perform surveillance on suspects, and participate in raids or arrests. Detectives are usually assigned cases on a rotating basis and work on them until an arrest or conviction is made or they are dropped. A large amount of their time is also spent writing reports and updating records of incidents. Such documentation becomes necessary to produce if a detective is called to testify in court. Many detectives specialize in investigating one type of crime such as homicide, robbery, or fraud. Specific job duties differ depending on area of specialization and whether an individual is employed by a local, state, or Federal agency.
What skills or qualities do I need to become a Detective?
Civil service regulations govern the appointment of detectives working for agencies at the state and local levels. Individuals must be citizens of the United States, at least twenty years old, and meet strict physical and personal standards. Physical exams usually include tests of vision and hearing as well as tests of strength and agility. Personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, judgment, and responsibility are vitally important for any individual seeking a career as a law enforcement professional. Aspiring detectives should also enjoy meeting and working with people.
How much does a Detective make?
All detectives and criminal investigators had a median annual income of $58,260 in 2006 with the middle fifty percent earning between $43,920 and $76,350 per year. Total earnings are commonly higher than stated salary base pay due to significant overtime payment for most individuals in this field.
Who are some influential professionals in this field?
The National Association of Police Organizations launched their Top Cop awards in 1994. Each year, officers are nominated by their fellow officers for outstanding service in the field. An awards selection committee reviews the nominations and chooses a Top Cop from each U.S. state and territory. The cases are then ranked and the top ten awardees are flown to Washington D.C. for an awards ceremony which is attended by celebrities and politicians as well as by other members of the law enforcement community. In 2008, two detectives received this award: Christopher J.A. Scallon from the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia and Brad Burke from the Miami Dade Police Department in Florida.
What are some leading organizations in this field?
The United States Association of Professional Investigators is a national association representing the interests of all professional investigators and is based out of Twentynine Pines, California. This inclusive membership group requires individuals to have one year of professional experience as an investigator, whether the field is law enforcement, child welfare, private investigation, or some other field where investigation is a common job requirement. This organization focuses on education, certification, and benefits for its members. Member benefits include discounts on insurance, tracking and tracing rates, a discounted subscription to PI Magazine, and discounts on car rentals. Members will also receive invitations to national and regional conferences sponsored by the USAPI, free listing to its online directory, and access to the members only online forums.
The National Association of Police Organizations was founded in 1978 and, with a membership including more than 2,000 police unions, 238,000 sworn officers, 11,000 retired officers, and 100,000 concerned citizens, is currently the strongest unified voice representing law enforcement officials in the United States. This organization exists to promote the interests of law enforcement officials through advocacy, political action, and education.
The National Association of Police Organizations was founded in 1978 and, with a membership including more than 2,000 police unions, 238,000 sworn officers, 11,000 retired officers, and 100,000 concerned citizens, is currently the strongest unified voice representing law enforcement officials in the United States. This organization exists to promote the interests of law enforcement officials through advocacy, political action, and education.
What are the top cities for Detective jobs?
The current top city for aspiring detectives to find work is New York City. Also in New York, Bronx has several openings in this field. Other cities with good job prospects include Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, and Miami, Florida.
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