What can I do to prepare myself for a career as a detective???

Question

Hey Im 14 and since i was 9 I wanted to be a detective. I watch Law and Order, Monk, Psych and so much more that have to do with being a detective. So I was wondering if there were any courses at high school that i could take that would help and what colleges are good that teach u law and how to be a detective,

Answer 1

Well one of the best colleges in the country for criminal justice is in Huntsville Texas. Sam Houston State University. A good thing for a person who wants to go into law enforcement to learn is observation skills and memory games. An observant person with a good memory is going to do well in law enforcement. Typing is a good skill to have and being good with computers is also a help. Most any knowledge you can aquire will be helpful to you in some way in policing. A good background in psychology would be beneficial as would a healthy dose of patience and understanding. You have to be drug free and stay out of trouble. Most agencies, at least here in TX require you to have a high school diploma and the larger agencies want you to have college. The larger agencies pay better also.
Good luck. Feel free to send me a reply if you have more questions...

Answer 2

TV makes it seem like people can simply join a police department and be a detective or a CSI guy right away. That's just not the way it is.

Don't set your sights on being a detective. First decide if you could be a cop. You gotta work your way up and earn the right. Trust me, I served my time on the street before I went undercover in narcotics. And it was well worth the wait.

It's what we learn on the street, and from dealing with people that makes us a better detective. But you gotta want to do the job, and I mean the whole job. As once you become a detective, there are usually set time frame for those positions, as others want to get the experience too, so they move people around, then it's on to something new, or back to the beat.

So, to prepare yourself, first decide if you want to be a cop, read up on all aspects of a street cops life. Then do well in school, do lots of community or volunteer work and get some related work experience. Then apply.

Answer 3

First, you must join a local law enforcement agency. I don't know where you live but here in New York you join the NYPD, go the first 2 years on probation and then you could put in for Vice or Narcotics. That's the fastest way within the NYPD. John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York is considered one of the best. But there ISN'T a course to become a Detective. Once you join the "Squad" you'll learn from within.

But you must be a police officer FIRST and foremost.

And you don't have to have any degree to become a police officer or detective. Everything is learned on the job.

Answer 4

It would be a good idea for now to just keep your grades up---At 14 you are probably in the 9th or 10th grade---Being a detective is a good career choice---Check out from the library and read all types of mystery and suspense books this will help improve your thinking---Also, you can check out and read books about serial killers and mass murders and see if you actually want to be involved in all the work that a detective actually does--A detective is responsible for casing an entire crime scene--murders, kidnappings, child molestation cases, etc. all this a detecive will investigate----

Next, I would chose a college that has a criminal justice program---also, take courses in college that teaches psychology ...


Good Luck!

Answer 5

The Boy Scouts have a program called the "Explorers".
Many Police Departments host this program and invite young people to learn about law enforcement first hand.

I believe the Explorers accept girls. If not, check with the Girl Scouts.

Check with your local law enforcement agency for details.

Nearly every college offers a criminal justice degree.

Answer 6

My foster dad used to be a cop. He went to school for criminal justice, and was a corrections officer first. That got him into law inforcment. Then, he gave up being a cop and became a PI for awhile. Try getting a degree in criminal justice or justice studies, then join a police force or go to police accadomy. this will all help you work your way up the ranks to detective.

Answer 7

usually the cutoff age is around 35, i could examine in this till now going to college. Get a criminal justice degree or a regulation enforcement degree, 2 years minimum. County sheriffs generally take every person that has a intense college coaching and no college, maximum street patrol too. some require 4 years of coaching or 2 years of school plus one or 2 years appropriate journey. you may take all your training online in case you dont have the time to pass in. i think of you will additionally might desire to get your peace place of work certificates after your education. This takes no extra desirable than 11 weeks. that's unfastened preparation and you get a month-to-month sales. Your interior the armed forces so for you to be in shape so in simple terms artwork on your coaching.

Answer 8

you could go to a community college for your security license and then again for your security license to carry a firearm and then again to become a private detective and then again to recieve a private detective business license.

Answer 9

tell someone to steal something (of yours) and try to find them.

interrogate them
ask witnesses
gather evidence.

good luck!