Your Path To Becoming a Police Detective

The qualifications to become a detective vary from one state to another. Most states require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field. In some states, such as Maine, you need a minimum of a high school diploma to become a police detective. Even in states where it’s possible to become a detective with a high school education, having a college degree can boost your career prospects and advancement opportunities considerably.

Beyond formal education, becoming a detective requires several years of experience as a patrol officer, after which you will need to go through specialized training at a police academy or similar program and complete state exams.

Before diving deeper into what degree you need to become a detective, it helps to understand what this role involves. And yes, it is very different from the exciting routine often portrayed in movies and television shows.

What Do Detectives Do?

Detectives are specialized law enforcement officers that play a pivotal role in the justice system. The work that they do is very different from the work that patrol officers do. Patrol officers respond to active situations. On the other hand, detectives focus on the process of investigating crimes after they occur. Detectives investigate serious criminal cases and put their findings together to build solid cases that can stand up in court. Their work is crucial in piecing together events that led to the crime.

On-the-job responsibilities of detectives are diverse and may include investigating crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, and interrogating suspects. They also gather and analyze physical and digital evidence, write detailed reports, maintain case files, and testify in court proceedings. Although they work independently, detectives rarely work as solo entities. They often have to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to follow up on loose ends and create a watertight case.

If no strong evidence could be found and a case remains open, detectives may follow up on leads and cold cases years after the crime was committed, using their initial notes and records for reference.

Educational Qualifications Required To Become A Police Detective

The absolute minimum requirement to become a police detective is a high school diploma or a GED. Some states will consider your application with a high school diploma provided that you demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and relevant experience. Basic skills for this role include critical thinking, keen observation, problem-solving, and strong communication. States also have minimum age thresholds and physical fitness requirements that all applicants are required to meet.

The majority of states require police detective applicants to have a bachelor’s degree preferably in fields relevant to this role. A bachelor’s degree in fields such as criminology, criminal justice, psychology or sociology are ideal options for anyone keen on pursuing a career as a detective. These majors cover a wide range of interrelated topics such as criminology theory, forensic science, criminal behavior, law enforcement, and social policy related to crime. Students in these majors also learn how to conduct research and investigate witnesses and how the criminal justice system works. This provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills they need to succeed in this career.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a detective, it helps to explore the official websites of your state law enforcement agency. Look for information and updates on essential criteria, exams and certifications you need to become a detective in your state.

How To Become A Police Detective – Beyond The Degree

So, you’ve found out what degree you need to become a detective in a specific jurisdiction. But where do you start and how do you become a detective?

Joining the police force as a police officer is the first step. All future detectives start at this entry point, which involves a rigorous selection process. To become a police officer, you will need to pass physical fitness tests, one or more written exams, and an interview. These tests are designed to test candidates’ physical and psychological readiness for this role, and their basic knowledge of local and federal law.

Candidates who are successful in these preliminary entry tests are then put through a challenging training program at the police academy. The training program will test the limits of your endurance as you undergo hours of classroom lectures on state and federal laws, community policing, and ethical nuances. As part of the training program, you will also go through demanding physical and self-defense routines, and practice emergency response procedures.

You will earn that distinguished detective’s badge only on successfully completely the training program and passing the detective’s exam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Becoming a police detective is not the last step up in this career path. You can take exams and get certifications that would qualify you for senior positions such as detective chief inspector and detective sergeant. Some jurisdictions may have slightly different promotion pathways and positions. In addition to experience and certifications, to be considered for a promotion, you will need to demonstrate advanced leadership skills. You will also need to have a successful track record of having solved complex criminal cases.

Senior detectives spend fewer hours investigating individual cases. Instead, they focus on managing operations and investigative teams, and overseeing cases strategies. Senior detective positions combine administrative tasks with on-the-ground tasks. Excellent communication skills is essential to succeeding in a senior role as it involves liaising between the police department, higher state and federal authorities, and the public.

Detective Job Outlook and Median Salary

Detectives earn an average annual salary of $91k.

The job outlook is projected to grow 1.5% from 2022- 2023.

Top 10 Colleges To Start Your Career As A Police Detective

1. FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY, BIG RAPIDS, MI

  • Acceptance rate: 81%
  • Enrollment: 10,072

2. TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, TX

  • Acceptance rate: 47%
  • Enrollment: 8,505

3. UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN, CT

  1. Acceptance rate: 81%
  2. Enrollment: 8,819

4. MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY, MO

  • Acceptance rate: 97.4%
  • Enrollment: 4,144

5. ROWAN UNIVERSITY, NJ

  • Acceptance rate: 78%
  • Enrollment: 19,535

6. CUNY JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, NY

  • Acceptance rate: 57%
  • Enrollment: 13,921

7. MONROE COLLEGE, NY

  • Acceptance rate: 66%
  • Enrollment: 7,011

8. WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY, CT

  • Acceptance rate: 81.4%
  • Enrollment: 4,417

9. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON-TACOMA CAMPUS, WA

  • Acceptance rate: 83%
  • Enrollment: 4,794

10. GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, VA

  • Acceptance rate: 89%
  • Enrollment: 39,049

Becoming a detective requires a significant commitment to education, training, and professional development and strong problem-solving, analytical and communication skills. Although this can be a demanding and challenging role, knowing that you’re solving crimes and bringing justice to the victims and their families can be immensely satisfying.

Interested in exploring other career options? College Raptor’s Career Finder tool makes it easy for you to compare careers by education requirements, median income, average annual job openings, and job outlook over 10 years.

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