If you wanted to be a police detective, do you have to be a grunt first or are there detectiv entry positions?

Question

Any guess on the salary range of police detectives? I imagine it's not much since there's such high demand for cops. I'm going back to school and will finish up my psychology major and want to go on to a master program in psych. Looking at each career field application.

Answer 1

Generally most police agencies hire/promote from within their department. The duties of a detective require the skills of a patrol officer. A psychology major might help give you an advantage, but will not automatically make you a good detective. Detectives take over where the patrolman ends. The initial report is investigated by following up with interviews of witnesses, suspects and victims. Tracking down these individuals can be a difficult task sometimes. Evidence found at a scene needs to be examined to determine it's usefulness. When a case is ready, it is taken to a prosecutor who determines what charges to file against the suspect. The detective then takes the complaint and warrant before a judge/magistrate and swears to it. The detective is then responsible for arresting the suspect and making sure the case is set for court. Note: You have multiple cases going on at a time.

With overtime, I make about $70,000 a year plus decent benefits, including a full retirement after 25 years, plus a take home car and clothing allowance. (Note our department is heading into it's 5th year without a contract with our union meaning no pay increases for this period of time. Pay should be closer to $80,000 a year by now).

Answer 2

In the local level, you will have be a patrolman first. This is so you can obtain skills and knowledge that there is no other way to get. If you look at the federal level, you can get into investigative agencies, such as FBI, Secret Service, etc

Most law enforcement jobs pay in the pretty well, base pay usually averages in the mid 30's to start. Add OT, shift differential and holiday pay, you could be talking about pay in the mid 40's to low 50's . As a cop, you will also get something that has just about dissappeared in other occupations, job security and a pension. In the psychology field, the jobs are hard to come by and many are dependant on next year's grant.

Answer 3

Yup, you have to be a street cop first.

However, be aware that being a detective for the most part ain't like how it is on TV.

In my department for most cases, if we catch the call, or pro-actively find something, its us street cops that do all the investigation. This ranges from DOAs to sex assault to theft etc. Rarely do investigations get called out. Typically they get the call on shootings, homicides etc-however of the detectives in a department maybe 5-10% of all detectives deal with this sort of crime, the rest spent most of their time at their desk on the phone.

With the exception of Major Case, most of our detectives just review the felony arrests made by street cops. Then they have 72 hours after the arrest to make sure the case file is complete and go to the DA's office, explain the case and have the DA accept it for prosecution...perhaps a little bit of follow-up on the case. If you like paperwork and have an eye for detail this is the position for you.

Most interviews will be done by patrol, (again except for major crimes or protracted investigations).

A police detective's role is relatively boring (exceptions if you are on a special team etc), whereas the fun is on the street (atleast in my humble opinion).

In my departmen there's a minimum of 4 years street time before you can even apply for any non-patrol assignment. Usually a "jr detective" rotating position for 2 years. When that finishes, you might go back to the street or if available another investigations position like Theft or Burg or Economic Crime, eventually after a further 5 years you might be on the Crimes Against Persons team, and maybe MAjor Case after some more.

When I first joined the PD, all I wanted to be was a detective, but to be honest I didn't really have a clue what they do.

Regarding pay, it'll differ vastly depending upon State and size of department. At my department there's no difference between patrol and investigations pay. Patrol make more in OT whereas investigations have a more regular schedule.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

OKay .. here's the REAL answer: First be a Police Officer. All that crap you see on TV is just BS. It REALLY doesn't matter what degree you have .. You can have a degree in Performing Arts. I don't know which PD you're interested in joining, but HERE in the NYPD ( which by the way is The Finest in the World .. Nuff said ) you have to be a cop and learn your trade working the streets. After your 2 years of probabtion you can put in for investigation units such as Narcotics, Vice, even your own precinct squad.

I know .. I'm a NYPD Detective.

So, that's the answer. It doesn't matter what degree you hold or crap like that.

But you better have a lot of activity. You'll see.

Don't listen to these other guys and good luck.

P.S. Cops make good money too. That's all a big BS.

Answer 5

You gotta be a grunt first. Detectives are usually a specialty position. To find out the salary range in local agencies contact your police department for a ride along. Then ask the officer what the benchmark cities are for the area. That will tell you the highest, the lowest and the 3 inbetween. Then you can figure out the salary range.

As for high demand for police officers, you are correct. But out here in California that works to your benefit! They need to hire and hire at the salary the area demands.

Good luck!

Answer 6

What you need to Do in case you like to grow to be a Detective you need to Do here shop an fantastic and sparkling history-in no way Get in worry Use drugs or Use Alcohol (Irresponsibly) in no way Dis-Obey The regulation or everybody in the community in which you reside Do solid issues in life, Volunteer on your community, Do the two or the two between here Enlist interior the protection rigidity of Your determining on (lively seems greater powerful besides the reality that Reserve is an determination) and Attend a community college to income some credit and pass to a school or in simple terms Get an buddies degree at Your community college. via the time Your around *21 Years previous (depending on whether or no longer You Joined the protection rigidity and or whilst Your degree is Earned) you would be sufficiently previous to test for various Police Departments As Many or as low as you prefer you will ought to start as a Patrol Officer for as much as 5 Years in some components formerly you have adequate expertise in/on the sphere formerly you are able to Qualify to Compete for a Detective place i will alert you, as a Detective that's an extremely Grueling and annoying job this is going to Drain You previous perception and you are going to be able to paintings for 12 or greater Hours right now attempting to resolve or Rule Out conceivable Conclusions to a Case yet, The Pay is definitely properly worth it as properly because of the fact the invaluable occupation that's it's going to make you chuffed in life solid success

Answer 7

Detectives are usually promoted from the uniformed ranks. Having a degree can help speed the process. Police in general do not make a large income, but it is comfortable for most. Pshychologists tend to do better in private practice, but that involves setting up a business and other requirements.

Answer 8

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