Police and Detectives
Additional Information
Duties
Typical police, detective, and other criminal investigator duties include:
- Non-emergency calls will be answered.
- Keep an eye on people and activities in the authorized areas.
- Stop cars and ticket them.
- Search restricted-access databases for vehicle records.
- ARRESTING, SEARCHING AND SERVING WARRANTS
- Identify and apprehend any suspects.
- Collect evidence at criminal scenes.
- Follow up on suspects' lead.
- Fill out forms and report thoroughly.
- Testify in court and prepare cases.
The duties of police officers and detectives differ based on their organization and function, but all are required by law to keep detailed records. They're generally armed with radios, handcuffs, and firearms.
Officers and detectives include:
Detectives and criminal investigators are sworn or unsworn law enforcement officers who investigate crimes and gather evidence. This includes interrogating suspects and participating in raids and arrest. Detectives are usually assigned to more violent crimes including assaults, robberies, and murders. Major police organizations have detectives who specialize in one type of crime, like homicide or fraud. These lawyers rotate until an arrest, trial, or case is dropped.
The FBI's investigators and prosecutors, known as special agents, are tasked with investigating and prosecuting crimes against the federal government. For example, the FBI investigates Medicare fraud. Federal agents may join or take over state investigations involving prescription drugs or large sums of money.
Fish and game wardens enforce fishing, hunting, and boating rules. Their duties include search and rescue, complaints and accident investigations, and public education. Federal wildlife wardens are called "Federal Wildlife Officers."
The most common type of police and detectives are patrol policemen and sheriff's deputies. Their outfits are clearly designated as police officers so the public may immediately identify them. They respond to both emergency and non-emergency calls. Officers uphold the peace and safeguard the public.
Some cops specialize on a particular type of crime, like drug trafficking. Major departments may have mounted (horseback), motorcycle, or special weaponry and tactics sections (SWAT). Cops must first serve as patrol officers before joining a special unit.
Transit and railroad police patrol train yards and transportation hubs like subway stations. On-site security guards protect employees and passengers from robberies and thefts. Anyone trespassing on a railroad or transportation site is removed, and those entering prohibited areas are searched.
Education
All police and detective applications require a high school diploma or equivalent, while some federal organizations and police departments require college credits or a degree. Applicants Law enforcement and criminal justice degrees are widespread in community colleges and 4-year universities. Many government offices and locations value bilingual staff.
A bachelor's degree in wildlife science, biology, or natural resources is common. Federal wildlife officers and several state fish and game wardens do not need a bachelor's degree.
The FBI, for example, may require a bachelor's degree to hire detectives and investigators.
Many applicants for entry-level police employment are college graduates. Two popular academic areas are security and social science.
Training
Most law enforcement aspirants must first attend a training program. The program includes instruction in state and local laws, constitutional law, civil rights, and police ethics. Recruits learn about patrol, traffic control, guns, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response.
It usually takes place in a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or a USMC base in Quantico, Virginia.
Work Experience in Related Fields
So, detectives typically start out as regular cops.
Applicants for FBI special agent positions must have two years of full-time work experience or one year of work experience with a master's degree.
Others offer cadet programs for those who wish to serve in law enforcement but aren't old enough to be sworn officers. The cadets here undertake secretarial work and classes until they reach the legal age to join the regular police force. Military or law enforcement experience may be an asset to prospective cadets.
Applicants must be 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and meet strict physical criteria. Exams for eyesight, hearing, strength, and agility may be required. Candidate selection may include polygraph (lie detector) and drug tests. Applicants having a criminal record may be denied.
Advancement
Officers often progress after completing a probationary period. Promotions to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain are frequently based on field performance and written tests. Major agencies may allow officers to specialize in a particular field, such as child protection, or be promoted to detective.
A bachelor's degree may be required, together with exam and performance scores, for advancement to lieutenant or above.
Considered Criteria
Effective communication skills This includes the ability to connect with the public and document events in a succinct manner.
Empathy. To properly serve the public, police officers must comprehend the perspectives of a diverse group of people.
Good judgment. Police and detectives must be able to solve a wide range of problems.
Capacity to lead. The public expects police officers to be there for them in times of distress.
Perceptiveness. To be a cop, detective, or game warden, you must be able to foresee people's actions and understand their motivations.
Maintaining one's energy levels throughout time. Physical fitness is required for police officers and detectives to pass field exams and keep up with everyday responsibilities.
Body power. To be a police officer, you must be physically fit.
Pay
The median annual wage for police and detectives was $77,270 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $120,460.
Job Projections
Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.