Detective Career Guide

What is a detective?

Becoming a detective might be your best career path if you love solving puzzles and mysteries and sorting through data. A detective is an investigator who typically works on criminal cases as part of a law enforcement agency. More severe or complicated crimes, including most felonies and some misdemeanors, require additional investigation to gather evidence. 

Detectives are assigned cases based on their specialty or jurisdiction. Some may last months while information is gathered, people are interviewed, and evidence is reviewed. The detective’s role is to organize the tangible evidence needed to bring justice to the matter. Detectives use problem-solving and observation skills to sort through the information provided and determine the order of events.

Duties and responsibilities

Daily duties for a detective vary greatly depending on what stage of an investigation they are working on. A typical day could include collecting and analyzing evidence, photographing and drawing diagrams of crime scenes, reviewing autopsy reports, interviewing relevant leads, and writing reports. The investigation process must be extremely organized, so detectives must have excellent note-taking and organization skills. 

Depending on the type of detective, some surveillance may also be required. Detectives should have plenty of experience in law enforcement. It’s essential to work within the laws, testify in court whenever necessary, and defend all methods and collection procedures.

Work environment

The work environment for detectives is constantly changing. There is a lot of deskwork in the role because you’ll be writing up reports, searching leads using the internet, and reviewing reports from other experts in your cases. Days in court will involve testifying for long periods of time and being able to answer questions and speak in front of others.

Fieldwork can take place in many different locations. You may be doing surveillance where you have to stay in your car or hidden away in a certain position for long periods of time. Interviews and evidence gathering can happen at crime scenes or locations where people need to be questioned. 

Typical work hours

A detective’s work schedule is not the typical 9 to 5 job. Calls could come in after hours, often when detectives need to be on site. Shift work is required to keep the public safe, so anyone in law enforcement will have to adjust to rotating schedules. Detectives must adjust their schedules to work the cases assigned, so the schedule may constantly shift.

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How to become a detective

In order to become a detective, you will need a combination of education, training, and experience. In this career guide section, we cover the steps you’ll need to take to achieve your goal:

Step 1: Meet the education requirements

Each police department has its own specific requirements. You’ll need a high school diploma; in many cases, detective positions require a bachelor’s degree in criminology or criminal justice.

Step 2: Complete training at the Police Academy

Each police department has its own training program. The Police Academy covers all the skills you need to be a good police officer. You’ll learn about local laws, constitutional law, civil rights, firearm safety and precision, and emergency response. Most recruits will be in the Basic Law Enforcement Academy for around 4.5 months before graduating to become student officers.

Step 3: Gain field experience as a patrol officer

Many police departments require at least two to five years of experience as an officer. By working as an officer, you’ll gain experience and a deeper understanding of how the force operates and learn crucial skills for becoming a detective.

Step 4: Take additional online courses

While you’re working as an officer, you can work to increase your knowledge in detective skills. Utilize online resources, like Udemy and Coursera, to keep this information fresh in your brain and become aware of any updates to technology or strategies. Here are a few that we recommend:

• The Introduction to Psychology course from Coursera will give you insights into how people think. It’s an overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior, giving you much insight when solving crimes and interviewing witnesses and suspects.
• For a course that focuses more on the detective role, take the Introduction to Forensic Science class. This course covers the scientific principles and techniques behind the work of forensic scientists. Learn about DNA chemistry and how evidence can be looked at. Another option for Intro to Forensic Science is offered from Udemy as well.
• Dive into the most relevant and current conversations for detectives with the Hot Topics in Criminal Justice course. It covers the conversation about what to do with convicted criminals and how to identify them in the first place. Our society is dealing with mass incarceration, the validity of the death penalty, police injustice, and how technology is used in surveillance and police work. 
• Try the Introduction to Criminology: Explaining Crime course. You’ll learn to speak about criminal psychology and the sociology of crime and be able to educate others about the backgrounds of criminal behavior. 
• Take the Detective’s Guide to Lie Detection and Exposing the Truth to learn more about lie detection with tons of real-life examples and actual interviews. The course teaches you to detect hidden emotions and spot nonverbal cues. 

Step 5: Pass the national investigator test

The National Detective/Investigator Test (NDIT) is a comprehensive exam that helps determine if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to become a detective. This is a great exam even if there isn’t a current job opening, so you’re ready when something opens. You can let your current supervisor know you’ve passed the exam and are ready for any openings. The test has study guides, so allow yourself a month or two to prepare. 

Step 6: Apply for detective jobs

Once you’ve completed all the requirements for a detective job, let your boss know you’re interested in applying for any open detective positions. You might have to switch your jurisdiction or location to find an open spot and hire. Check the job boards and online job searches.

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How much do detectives make?

There are many variables that go into determining how much a detective makes, from company size to experience to education just to name a few. Most public detectives work for a government agency. Here are the median annual wages for each level of government:

• Federal government – $93,970
• State government, excluding education and hospitals – $72,280
• Local government, excluding education and hospitals – $64,610

Browse detective salary data by market

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Types of detectives

There are many types of detectives, from specific crime specialties with the FBI to local small-town detectives that handle misdemeanors. There are also detectives in the private sector used for background checks, help with missing persons, and other help.

Law enforcement detectives

You’ll find specific roles for all the major crimes within the realm of public detectives. Homicide detectives investigate deaths and determine whether or not foul play was involved. This role may determine the time and cause of death and help track down witnesses and potential suspects. 

In law enforcement agencies, detectives specialize in crimes like drug trafficking, narcotics, robbery, and fraud. Gang detectives follow the activities of violent street gangs and help investigate any crimes that may be related to that activity. Sometimes, these local detectives partner with the FBI on federal criminal investigations, but the bureau also has its own agents. 

Cybercrime detectives

Cybercrime detectives work on internet cases involving hackers and online criminals. These roles are common for large corporations to have on staff, working as private detectives. Other common specialties for private investigators include insurance fraud, investigative due diligence in the corporate world, and recovering lost or stolen goods. 

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Top skills for detectives

To become a detective, you’ll need to gain some experience in the police force first. Each department has specific education requirements, usually two to four years of post-high school education. In addition, you’ll need to complete police training and work for a few years as an officer to learn the techniques used and get some hands-on experience. 

In addition to education and experience, detectives need to be excellent problem-solvers. Many cases are like puzzles that need to be solved. The ability to think outside the box, interview and understand people, and analyze all the information (even the things that don’t seem relevant on the surface) are all essential skills for aspiring detectives.

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Career path

Each law enforcement agency has its own rules and hierarchy for promotions and ranks. For detectives, it’s common to complete a few years as an entry-level patrol officer. Once you’ve completed the necessary length of time, you can start working towards a promotion. Detectives are ranked higher than officers in the force, and in larger cities, there are multiple levels of detectives. With experience, you can move up the ranks and eventually oversee the detectives in the unit instead of managing your own caseload. 

If you want to move up the ranks as high as possible, you can set your sights on the Chief of Police position. There are also positions within the Federal government with higher pay and responsibilities.

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Similar job titles

• Police Officer
• Private Investigator
• Legal Investigator

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Position trends and outlook

Law enforcement and the communities they serve have been focusing more on community policing in recent years. Police and citizens can build trust and cooperation, and detectives will have more opportunities to work collaboratively with community members.

The work of detectives has also been impacted by advances in technology. Digital forensics, for instance, is becoming increasingly important in crimes involving computers, and detectives may need to be proficient at analyzing digital evidence and data.

Employment projections for detectives

The job count for detectives and investigators is predicted to grow about 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is average among the different careers. Police departments rely on budgets to make hiring decisions, so cities with a growing population will have more increases to work with in the near future.

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Detective career tips

Soft skills and traits for detectives

There are obvious steps to apply for job openings for all aspiring detectives. You can also do a few things outside the outlined requirements to boost your job performance and resume for potential employers. Develop strong note-taking skills. You’ll be doing a lot of writing, and it’s important to capture as much information as possible to refer back to and use to help solve cases. Practice thinking outside the box and being perceptive. You want to look at things from different angles without missing details while investigating.

Learn a second language common in the community you’re going to work in. It can be extremely beneficial when you’re interviewing possible witnesses and community members. Spanish is popular, but you could check the Census information to see your best options.

Commonly required skills and qualifications

Improve your physical fitness and strength. You’ll have to pass a physical test before becoming a police officer, but even when working, you’ll want to move around for long periods and remain in good shape. Keep a clean record. Not only will you need to pass a background check, but you will also need a clean driving record to become a detective. Stay on top of the most current technologies and strategies for forensics. Follow industry communications to learn about the changes and advancements.

Develop a professional network

Consider military service. By serving in the military, you will gain some crucial skills that can assist in your law enforcement career and help move you to the top of the list for new hires.

Learn first aid and other skills that will help with general police work. It’s best to be prepared while on the job. The bigger your network, the better chance you’ll have. Here are a few networks to try:

• National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)
• National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
• LinkedIn Groups
• Community Organizations

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FAQs