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Thanks to television series like Law & Order and CSI, many people believe that detective work is easy, but it takes more than amateur deduction skills and a love of mystery to become a detective. A background in police training and in some cases two to four years of undergraduate education is often required. If you have a passion for crime solving, and think you may be interested in becoming a detective, check out this page to see if you have what it takes.
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Introduction
- Like the great Sherlock Holmes, detectives are problem solvers, often with a knack for meticulously combing through details to get to the root of criminal activity. When they are not already part of the police force, private detectives are often hired to work on everything from missing persons cases and homicides to robberies and scams. If you are driven by a need to unravel the mysterious and have an eye for detail, becoming a detective is the job for you.
- Many detectives have police background and training, and detective work is a natural progression in their careers. It is not necessary, however, to go through police training to obtain a license to become a private investigator. Below we will outline both routes to becoming a detective so you can follow the path most suitable for you.
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Step 1: Get an Education
- Detectives work hands-on, and much of what many detectives learn often takes place while working as a police patrol officer. Having a background education in law enforcement will give potential detective candidates a leg up when the time comes to take the detective certification test.Legal Criminal Justice Schools: How to Become a Police Detective Most government-appointed detectives and police detectives are required to:Bureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
- Be 18 years of ageBureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
- Get a high school diploma or equivalentBureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
- Spend at least one to two years furthering their education. Courses of study that would benefit a detective include
- Law enforcement
- Criminal justice
- Sports and physical education training to promote physical enduranceBureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
- Liberal arts coursework to prepare for working with the public
- Research and statistics
- State and federal agencies require at least four years of undergraduate educationBureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
- A college degree will help you earn a higher starting salaryLegal Criminal Justice Schools: How to Become a Police Detective
- Most law enforcement agencies require that their applicants complete a police academy training program before they can become officersWNMU: Law Enforcement
- For more information, see our page on How to Become a Police Officer.
Step 2: On-the-Job Police Training
- It is rare for a fairly new officer to find himself up for a detective position early in his career. Depending on the agency, a patrol officer may have to wait anywhere from six months to five years before he becomes eligible to apply for a detective's license.eHow: How to Become a Detective A number of important skills and experiences are garnered from on-the-job patrolling, including:
- Interaction with the public
- Active listening
- Judgment and decision making
- Social perceptiveness
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Critical thinkingCollege Toolkit: Police Patrol Officer Skills
- Police detectives are responsible for interviewing witnesses and suspects and using evidence to solve crimes. All of the above skills are absolutely necessary in order to take that critical step from patrol officer to detective.
Step 3: Detective Certification
- Once you've paid your dues as a patrol officer and you're ready to move to the next level, you will be required to take a licensing examination. Licensing requirements vary by state. Some states may require:
- Classroom training prior to the examination
- Weapons training
- Criminal background checkWikipedia: Detective Selection and Training
- Convicted felons are not generally permitted to take the licensing examination
Certification Test Components
- The certification examination may test you on:
- Your knowledge of the law
- Police procedure and protocol
- Analytical reasoning and deduction
- Physical fitnesseHow: How to Become a Detective
Non-officer Detective Certification
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As mentioned previously, you do not need to be a police officer to become a certified private detective. 42 of the 50 states presently require private investigators to obtain a license before taking on detective work or applying to a detective agency.
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There are no academic requirements at this time to take the detective certification exam, but most private investigators have at least two to four years of educational background training in criminal justice-related areas.
Step 4: Entering the Workforce
- Once you obtain your detective license, you are ready to enter into the workforce. Whether you are working for a police department, the government or a private detective agency, salaries will vary based on your level of education and training. The average detective can earn anywhere from $44,000 to $76,000 a year.Bureau of Labor and Statistics: Police and Detectives
Specializing
- Many different specialized investigatory fields exist, allowing detectives a variety of options. Here are a few examples of the different branches:
The Downside of Detective Work
- Those who enter the field as detectives are often driven by an intense passion to solve crime and bring justice to those who have been wronged. As with any job, however, there are downsides, even for those who love their work. For instance, detectives face a number of risks, like:
- Exposure to dangerous criminals and placesTrigger Memory Systems: So... You Want to Be a Detective
- Exposure to drugs or other high-risk illegalities
- They may also suffer from depression brought on by:
- Long hours spent researching
- Months or even years on the same case
- Tedious desk work; most detectives would rather be out in the fieldTrigger Memory Systems: So... You Want to Be a Detective
- Job-related stress and pressureCareer Overview: Police Careers
- Dealing with people in a position of lossTrigger Memory Systems: So... You Want to Be a Detective
Conclusion
- Detectives take their work very seriously, but there is also a fun side to the job as well. Detectives have the opportunity to use deductive reasoning to solve mysteries, and working undercover might even present the challenge of doing a little acting so as not to be detected themselves!
But the overall joy for most detectives is bringing the truth out into the open and landing the bad guy in jail. Whether you would like to join the police force or work as a private investigator, the world is full of crime and mysteries just waiting to be solved by a skilled sleuth. Have you got what it takes?
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