Private investigation, law enforcement, security and military experience can substitute for education for aspiring criminal investigators. However, candidates become more competitive with a four-year degree in forensics, criminal justice, sociology or psychology. A master's degree increases promotion potential, while cybercrime, financial crime and forensics work demands additional coursework for expertise.
Assignments with state police departments and agencies also require successful completion of training at a state or regional academy.
These two professions work on different types of crime, but perform similar duties. They gather information through face-to-face interviews. Both keep detailed records of their investigations and work with other law enforcement professionals in the course of solving a crime.
They observe suspects and handle warrants. They share a responsibility to testify in court and the authority to make arrests. Homicide detectives, as part of a murder investigation team, work closely with crime scene investigators, the coroner and the district attorney. According to the San Jose Police Department, one of the most important aspects to being a homicide investigator is the ability to persuade witnesses to testify in court. They may also relocate a number of times over the course of their careers.
The job of Detective and Criminal Investigator may appeal to those who enjoy starting up and carrying out projects, following set procedures, searching for facts, paying attention to details, solving problems, and taking risks. Prospective candidates should be in excellent health and possess physical strength, stamina, and agility as well as emotional and mental stability.
They must have decision-making, leadership, organizational, and oral communication skills. Excellent writing skills are critical because investigations can involve hundreds or thousands of pages of documentation. Additional characteristics such as honesty, sound judgment, integrity, and a sense of responsibility are also very important.
Wages for Detectives and Criminal Investigators vary depending on job duties, work experience, and geographic location.
Those who work in large cities or metropolitan areas generally earn higher wages than those who work in smaller towns or rural areas. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators typically receive health and life insurance, vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, and retirement benefits. They may also receive uniform and equipment allowances as well as bilingual and education incentive pay.
Most job openings will be created by the need to replace Detectives and Criminal Investigators who retire, promote to supervisory positions, or leave the field for other reasons. In California, the number of Detectives and Criminal Investigators is expected to grow slower than average growth rate for all occupations.
Jobs for Detectives and Criminal Investigators are expected to increase by 3. Job requirements vary by agency. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or the equivalent; however, many departments require at least some college coursework. Most federal agencies require a four-year degree, related work experience, or a combination of the two.
Candidates must be U. Some agencies have a maximum hiring age and a mandatory retirement age. Mobility may also be a condition of employment.
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements must pass a written examination and an oral interview. Entry-level candidates must pass a physical ability and drug test, as well as a polygraph test and a fingerprint check. In addition, they must pass a medical examination, vision screening, and psychological evaluation. Applicants must also pass a thorough background investigation.
Some positions require a top secret security clearance as well. Depending on the agency, the hiring process can take 12 months or longer. Entry-level candidates begin their careers as recruits by attending a training academy for several months.
Detectives usually begin their careers as police officers. Experience varies by agency. Those with military or related work experience may have an advantage. High school students interested in this kind of work should take courses in English, mathematics, computer technology, physical education, foreign language, and social science.
Volunteer work at a law enforcement agency is a good way to gain valuable experience and help students prepare for a career in this field. Some agencies offer full-time and part-time, paid and unpaid internships. Internships are an opportunity for an agency to recruit future employees.
Continuing education varies by agency or department. However, continuing education is usually mandatory to review legal updates and to enhance and refresh job skills, such as defensive tactics and firearms.
Depending on the specialty, certificates such as certified counter-terrorism specialist, certified cyber-crime expert, and forensic photography are available to those who have met the education, training, and experience requirements.
For more information, go to the U. Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any prerequisite course work. The largest industries employing Detectives and Criminal Investigators are as follows:. General information and employment applications may be obtained through government personnel and agency websites. Job fairs, college career centers, and newspapers may also advertise job openings.
Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www. View the helpful job search tips for more resources. You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Detectives and Criminal Investigators.
With experience and training, Detectives and Criminal Investigators can promote to higher-ranking and administrative positions. They may also transfer into special units. Those with advanced degrees may have better promotional opportunities. Below is a list of occupations related to Detectives and Criminal Investigators with links to more information. These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD. The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career professionals.
The web pages currently in English on the EDD website are the official and accurate source for the program information and services the EDD provides. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes.
If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated website, please refer to the English version. The EDD is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information or changes in the formatting of the pages resulting from the translation application tool. Some law enforcement agencies have a group of detectives dedicated to major crimes, such as homicide. In smaller departments, detectives work on all kinds of cases.
The line detectives are proficient in interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects, as well as photographing and processing evidence at crime scenes. They also may prepare documents for court cases and testify in court. Larger agencies have specialized units dedicated to specific kinds of crimes, such as sex crimes, financial crimes, narcotics, or homicide. In almost all cases, homicide detectives work their way up through the ranks of their law enforcement agencies, and almost all law enforcement agencies require a college degree.
See more detail below. Majoring in Criminal Justice — and choosing a program at a college or university that offers both classroom and experiential learning — will help set you up for success in the field. Candidates must pass a physical agility test, a written examination, and in most cases, successfully pass an oral interview with the law enforcement agency that is hiring them. After graduating from the police academy and securing a position in law enforcement, a police officer will serve on the streets, working with suspects and victims.
Learning how to interview people and deal with difficult situations is an integral part of becoming a good law enforcement officer. Usually, a police officer has extensive experience working on the streets before they become a detective.
Different law enforcement agencies have different procedures for becoming a detective. In many agencies, it is done through a testing process and is considered a promotion.
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