Detective Job Description, Career as a Detective, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
interview detectives police private agencies
Education and Training High school plus training
Salary Varies—see profile
Employment Outlook Very good
Definition and Nature of the Work
Detectives investigate, prevent, and solve crimes against people and property. Many work for police departments, while others are employed by business and industry. Detectives use modern techniques and tools, including computers and elaborate communications systems, to prevent and solve crimes ranging from shoplifting to mass murder.
Police detectives observe criminals' actions, develop sources of information, and assist in the arrest of criminals. They often work undercover. Dressed in civilian clothes while on duty, they go to places that a suspect is known to frequent so they get to know the suspect's habits and actions. For example, detectives assigned to a gambling case might spend time at a suspect's favorite bar, posing as other gamblers and trying to learn as much as possible about the case. The detectives might also find informers in the neighborhood who have information about the suspect. Having gathered enough evidence against the suspect, the detectives can make the arrest with the help of police reinforcements.
Some detectives work for private detective agencies or individual clients. They are often former police officers, although some are trained by the private agencies themselves. Because they are not part of the police force, they have no power to make arrests. Private investigators gather information from police sources, interview witnesses, and observe suspects. Lawyers and other companies hire investigators to gather information for court trials and to investigate fraud, the passing of bad checks, and other matters. Many insurance companies hire private detectives to investigate insurance claims. Parents may hire them to locate missing children.
Some private detectives work as bodyguards for people who are in personal danger. Store detectives guard against customer shoplifting and employee theft, while bouncers ensure that order is maintained in restaurants, nightclubs, and other places of entertainment. House detectives, or hotel detectives, protect patrons from disturbances and evict troublemakers.
Education and Training Requirements
High school diplomas, or the equivalent, are required for both police and private detectives. High school courses in English, science, math, social science, and physical education provide good preparation for the field. Foreign languages, journalism, and typing are also helpful. An increasing number of police departments require a year or two of college coursework, including classes in police science, criminology, and law.
Many detectives work for police departments, investigating criminals' actions, gathering facts for cases, observing suspects, and assisting in arrests.
Police detectives start as police officers. Applicants for positions as police officers usually must be at least twenty-one years old, meet certain height and weight requirements, and be in good physical condition. After they have demonstrated that they have the skills necessary for detective work, they may be assigned to detective duty on a probationary basis. Some police departments require that detectives pass an exam.
Most police detectives are trained for six weeks to several months, depending on the program. Those who successfully complete the training program will probably be assigned to detective work permanently. They may be required to take refresher courses periodically to update their skills and techniques.
Because many private detectives are former police detectives, their education and training requirements are similar to those of police detectives. Private detectives also learn skills on the job from experienced private detectives.
In some states, private detectives must be licensed and participate in specially designed training programs. Each state requires a firearm permit.
Getting the Job
Job seekers can apply directly to police departments to take the police department entrance exam. Private detectives with credentials can apply to detective agencies, hotels, restaurants, law firms, manufacturing firms, and department stores.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Skilled and experienced police detectives can advance to chief of detectives or chief of police. Private detectives can advance to senior positions in detective agencies or become supervisors of security or detective staffs in private companies. Good detectives can start their own detective agencies.
The employment outlook for detectives is very good. Although job opportunities in police forces will be limited, openings in the private investigation field will grow faster than the average for all jobs through 2014. Companies, hotels, and restaurants increasingly use private detectives to protect their own and their customers' property. Investigators who specialize in Internet crimes, such as identity theft, spamming, e-mail harassment, and illegal downloading of copyrighted materials, will have many job opportunities.
Working Conditions
Detectives' work may be exciting and dangerous or routine and safe, depending on their assignments. Police detectives investigating narcotics smugglers may be exposed to the threat of physical violence or death. On the other hand, private detectives working as security guards may only check employee identification cards and handle routine complaints. The work of most detectives falls between these two extremes.
Detectives often work irregular hours, including nights and weekends. Although they may have to work more than forty hours a week on certain cases, they are generally given time off to compensate for their overtime.
Earnings and Benefits
Salaries for detectives vary widely and depend on experience, location, and the responsibilities of the job. In 2004 the median salary of police detectives was $53,990 per year, with the top ten percent earning more than $86,010 per year. The median salary of private detectives was $32,110 per year. The most experienced, successful private detectives earned more than $58,470 per year.
Detectives may receive benefits such as paid sick leave and vacations, life and health insurance, and pensions. Detectives who run their own agencies must provide their own benefits.
User Comments
over 2 years ago
im interested in law and crimes and this kind of work...alot of people are interested for different reasons but i feel that justice is the overall importance and sometimes based on some kind of evidence a person is convicted for something they didn't do..mistakes like that happen and one little mistake can change a persons life dramatically.
9 months ago
mia davis
I think this information about becoming a detective is wounderful. I hope one day to become a detective. I'm very interested in detective work and forensic work.
11 months ago
Doesn't Matter
I've recently become interested in this field of work because of the show "Without a Trace." I'm not sure if you've ever seen it, but I was wondering if it's accurate? I really like the different cases and how they help people and I'd love to do that for people. Enforcing the law can be a dangerous job, but I think it is so worth it. GBU
10 months ago
Shantal Dena
hello,
im working at becoming a criminal investigator
i graduate in 2014
any tips? advice? comments?
(about this job.)
please email, thanks!
10 months ago
marley
i would like to know what the height and weight requirements are.
thankyou
marley
about 1 year ago
bradley cooper
well. i have to do a report. and im doing it now. cool.
9 months ago
this really helped my project i did about half of it just on this website.
9 months ago
Ritche
For those who aspire to be detectives, my advice would be to pursue a career in law enforcement rather than pi work.
Stay away from pi. With all being factored in, pi will be the lowest paying job you will ever have.
PI companies are notorious for burning through employees. They will expect you to use your own vehicle to work their cases without paying much in terms of vehicle use expense.
Most pi companies will probably not pay anything more then 15 to 20 an hour which may sound good at first.
Unfortunately the work will be sporatic at best and you will be expected to travel to their cases on your own dime.
More than likely they will put you on a 1099 form rather than a w2 which means that you will be responsible for the full fica which is a little over 15% of you taxable income.
A a 1099 subcontractor, you will also be responsible for withholding and filing own federal and state taxes and paying for your own worker's comp insurance.
Since you will be on 1099, you will not receive unemployment benefits for your down time. Sporatic work at 15 or 20 an hour just will not see you through for the times when the do not have work for you.
Most Pi companies will also expect you to provide your own cam corder, digital camera, button cam, lap top with internet and software to upload your video to them by email.
You will spend hours typing reports and doing data entry which you will more than likely be doing on your own time at the conclusion of your caes.
If you belive that working for more than one pi company is the answer, think again. The few pi companies at the top of the food chain are highly competetive with each other and do not take kindly to freelancers working their competitors as well.
All of the above is the reason you will see the same few pi companies constantly posting help wanted ads all over the internet.
On the other end of the spectrum, being a self employed PI is not much of a bargain either. People generally are unwilling to pay for this service and most times expect you to help them for free. I could never figure out why, since even a doctor charges a fee for saving a life or delivering a baby, why would a pi be expected to work for charity.
Most attorneys that will contact you will be ambulance chasers or criminal defense attorneys. Most ambulance chasers are deadbeats who burn through pi's quicker than they change their underwear. If they do pay you at all, it is usually after either they settle their case or you threaten to kidnap their children in leu of payment. Needless to say, settling a case may take years. You will most likely be out of business by then anyhow.
As for criminal defense attorneys, their clients rarely can afford your services and the ones who have some money, rarely have anything left after they get through paying the attorneys advanced retainer. Either the criminal defense attorney or the attorneys client will call you crying the blues about having no money and requesting your help on a promise if even that.
The only thing left are contracts with the insurance companies which usually require the pi has an office and staff in order to service the contracts. These kind of contracts usually go to the larger companies or national surveillance vendors. National surveillance vendors are large corporate conglomerates, who have been flooding the field in the last several years and basically putting the smaller companies out of business.
In addition you will have to compete with the garbage peddlers on the internet who specialize in selling out dated or inacurate information they receive from proprietary data bases. Since their price is usually under $30.00 for a search, your pool of potential clients will do business with the internet companies before coming to you. Once realizing they have been ripped off, these people will now contact you for free advice hoping you will feel sorry for them and help them out for free.
When I think of the pi business free and not enough is all that comes to mind. You are either working for free or not enough to even cover the cost of the investigation, much less turn a profit.
Few people do well in this business. Those who do well at it, usually have something else going on in addition to pi work. Others have fat police pensions to fall back on or spouses who make a very good living.
This is the truth about pi business and anyone telling you otherwise is being less than truthful.
There are two types of private investigators. The ones who went out of business and the ones who are going out of business.
I have been at this 20 years and I am leaving the business. Overall, I have been broke too many times to count.
7 months ago
I'm only 13 years old. And I want to become a police detective when I get older. I'm very interested in detective work. I think its very interesting and cool. So I came to this page and started reading I will love to become a police detective when I get older. I really like the different cases and how they help people and I'd love to do that for people. Having to risk our lives just to give them what they want . Helping each other there's so much bad people in the world its a dangerous job, but I think it is SO worth it! I just want you to reply to my Email to let me know. There is so much people that write here to get this important job , you might not be able to write me back but ill be happy that the fact that you read it ill be happy that you actually wasted your time reading . Oh and i'm also learning self defense . I'm so looking forward for this job when I get older - Thanks (:
11 months ago
Sucks sht what hours btch
12 months ago
Dear Sir,
I am Interested for Detectiv Job.
over 3 years ago
Dear Sir,
I am Interested for Detectiv Job.
about 1 year ago
hi
3 months ago
thank you. you have been vital and busy helping the people despite problems from economic troubles. I am glad to see a website that can help a parallegal help them with valuable inside info . contact me at the email or p.o. box 801;saginaw,michigan 48606-0801. I am very interested and available. Thank you again. I feel alive with contacts. You are doing a great job watching over some of us and personally I am sure.Pearl.
3 months ago
Anonymous
Um if you guys really read this. I am an 8th grader and I'm exploring careers and I was trying to find out the order you go from like teacher to principal. I also was wondering if there was anything I could do now to prepare me for this.
3 months ago
Ravinder Kumar
5"8 hight
72kg.
i like to risky job, my dream was join army or spl. cell but due to some kind reason i can't join it but i think u can give a chance and i can prove my born is only for same plz guide me and provide me good chance for showing my abibilty....
Warm Regards
Ravinder Kumar
+9873186934
8 months ago
Hi
I am kala
im really interested in dective work. im 30 years old.i just wanted some advice to be invovled in a work lik this and i like to take risk,if there is any chance plz inform through this mail.
your faithfully
P.KALA DEVI
Read more: Detective Job Description, Career as a Detective, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/700/Detective.html#ixzz1QeFjbu8C
about 1 year ago
I have always wanted to be detective, or in some sort of law inforcment. I am currently in the Marine Corps but I get out in 2013. Hopefully by then I will still be able to get the job.
about 1 year ago
lilyodel
hello , im considering becoming a detective and i wold appreciate if you emailed me about how you like your job etc. its or a project in school
11 months ago
Sucks sht what hours btch
5 months ago
Ajaykumar Vishwakarma
Dear Sir,
I am Interested for doing Detective Job.
Plz guide me how i can apply for this.
over 3 years ago
i use enitials like this to hide my true identity .. i am intrested in this kind of work .. i like to work on things that you have to figure out with just a couple of facts .. it is such a rush . i am definitely looking up to a future career such as this one .
7 months ago
sachin
i need a job please call me
9910226846
9 months ago
this really helped my project i did about half of it just on this website.
11 months ago
noelle w
im a kid and im really interested in this job!!!!! or jobs like it such as lawyers or investigation units. I beleive i am suited for this mentally and physically please respond through email.!! THANKS!
over 1 year ago
I'm not very old but i want to become a detective that figures out evidence and goes undercover and stuff but what kind of detective does that?
9 months ago
GirlyTeenGirl(:
heey. im GirlyTeenGirl(: annd i comme from uhhm far waay vivle.
9 months ago
my name nis bakoozo this is y i wa
9 months ago
ikopkpo
11 months ago
dear,sir
I am interested to detective job
over 3 years ago
im really interested in dective work or forensic work. im 12 years old. i started to be interested in those stuff i became aware of it when i was reading a book it was about crime and stuff that have to do with crimology and i just wanted some advice to be invovled in a work lik that. i know im young but if theres a job lik that or a program that doesnt cost much can u please contact me by my email address. thank u for your time.
3 months ago
House
:D i want to be a detective..
4 months ago
Bob Wilson
im very insterseted in the law, as becoming a detective. i love oyu guys:)
6 months ago
michelle carranza
I need to hire a detective I am suffering impersonation for over five years now.please contact me at my e-mail address
6 months ago
hety ]'
8 months ago
hight 5f8inch
6 months ago
Ajay Anand
Dear sir
I am interested to police detective job,
my qulification is 12 pass from C.B.S.E new delhi
i will become a good police detective i promisse you that.
sir please riply me, i waiting for your mail
my hight 162 cm
thank you
best regards
Ajay Anand
7 months ago
I'm only 13 years old. And I want to become a police detective when I get older. I'm very interested in detective work. I think its very interesting and cool. So I came to this page and started reading I will love to become a police detective when I get older. I really like the different cases and how they help people and I'd love to do that for people. Having to risk our lives just to give them what they want . Helping each other there's so much bad people in the world its a dangerous job, but I think it is SO worth it! I just want you to reply to my Email to let me know. There is so much people that write here to get this important job , you might not be able to write me back but ill be happy that the fact that you read it ill be happy that you actually wasted your time reading . Oh and i'm also learning self defense . I'm so looking forward for this job when I get older - Thanks (:
12 months ago
SREEKUMAR ASOK
im really interested in dective work. im 30 years old.i just wanted some advice to be invovled in a work lik this and i like to take risk,if there is any chance plz inform through this mail.
your faithfully
SREEKUMAR ASOK
6 months ago
I got more than half of my project finished on this site (: YAY !
7 months ago
Daniel
Hey guys, I was really hoping to become a police officer/detective, it was always my dream, but at the age of 17 I committed a crime. Fortunately enough, the crime is a Misdemeanor and I got a Y/O (youthful offense) for it. I was wondering if this can affect my path towards becoming a police officer and later on detective. Thanks guys
9 months ago
hi
about 1 hour ago
rizwan ahmed
i m criminologist ilike to hard working and getting dangrous step to passion of my life so i like to this field of detective.
15 days ago
trololololol
26 days ago
I graduate next year and I want to become a detective. Anyone with knowledge and background experience please send me an email. I would really be grateful.
about 1 month ago
Jun
5"8 hight
72kg.
i like to risky job, my dream was secret agency. cell but due to some kind reason i can't join it but i think u can give a chance and i can prove my born is only for same please guide me and provide me good chance for showing my ability.
I have good eyes and fast movement skills.
Warm Regards
Jun
+645082099