What Is a Detective and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Do Detectives Do?
A police detective is a police officer who works to gather evidence and facts for criminal cases. A police detective’s duties include interviewing potential suspects, examining records and apprehending criminals. These police officers will work on specific cases until they are solved or dropped.
How Do I Become a Detective?
A detective usually starts off as a police officer. Although a high school diploma (or equivalent) is the minimum qualification for some police officer positions, many agencies prefer candidates with a college degree in a relevant field, such as criminal justice or law enforcement. To be eligible to be trained as a police officer, you must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen. Police recruits must complete training academy programs and pass written and physical tests before beginning to serve as officers. Such programs include a mixture of physical training and classroom study in areas such as firearm training, self-defense, traffic control, and first aid. Once you have several years of experience as an officer, seek promotion to a detective position.
What Do Detectives Do at a Crime Scene?
Crime scene detectives identify, collect, and process the physical evidence left at a crime scene. These detectives are usually employed by law enforcement agencies and coordinate with the other officers at the scene to gather as much information as possible to solve the crime.
What Do Detectives Wear?
Depending on the type of detective and the assignment, detectives wear what is appropriate for that day or job. Some detectives will wear suits, and others, such as gang detectives, vice detectives, and other specialized assignment detectives, wear a tee shirt and jeans with a raid jacket or vest. For undercover assignments, the detectives wear an outfit that blends in with the other residents in the area.
Detective Job Description Sample
With this Detective job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Detective role.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Detective to join our team for investigating criminal activities. The successful candidate will use their expertise to collect evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, analyze data and collaborate with law enforcement personnel to solve cases. This is an opportunity to apply your investigative skills and ensure the safety of the community.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct criminal investigations, including surveillance operations and undercover work
- Collect evidence and document information related to criminal activities
- Interview suspects and witnesses, taking detailed notes of all conversations
- Analyze evidence, including security footage, phone records, and other relevant data
- Collaborate with law enforcement personnel to identify and apprehend criminals
- Report findings to supervisors and other relevant personnel
Requirements and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field is preferred
- Minimum of five years of experience as a Detective or similar investigative role
- Advanced knowledge of investigative techniques and protocols
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
- Able to work independently and in teams
