Pros and Cons of Becoming a Detective
Detectives, also known as criminal investigators, solve crimes by acquiring evidence. Upsides and downsides to being a detective can be learned by reading below.
| Pros of a Detective Career |
|---|
| Extensive career benefits are provided* |
| The salary for a detective is above the national average ($80,000 average salary in 2014)* |
| Retirement age is lower for detectives that other occupations* |
| Clear hierarchy of promotional opportunities* |
| Cons of a Detective Career |
|---|
| Overtime is normal for detectives* |
| Slower-than-average job growth expected (5% for police and detectives from 2012-2022)* |
| Detectives work around the clock, so evening, holiday and weekend hours can be assigned; shift preference is based on seniority* |
| Injuries can occur from high-risk situations* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Essential Career Information
Job Description
As a detective, your goal is to examine the facts of a case that is assigned to you. From those facts, you need to arrive at a conclusion to determine what happened at a crime scene. You'll interview anyone involved with the crime, such as witnesses and suspects. After taking down statements, you might keep an eye on a suspect's activities in hopes of finding out some additional information related to the crime. When an arrest has to be made, you'll assist. You'll stay on the case until it is dropped or you've solved the mystery. You'll find that detectives tend to specialize in a specific type of crime like fraud or homicide.
Salary Information and Prospects
In May 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that detectives and criminal investigators earned an average hourly wage of $38, which resulted in average annual earnings of around $80,000 for full-time employment (www.bls.gov). Detectives in the top ten percentile earned upwards of $127,000 or so. On average, the federal executive branch paid detectives the highest, with an average salary of about $105,000 for those workers. In terms of location, the District of Columbia, Alaska, New Jersey, Delaware and California had the highest average salaries for detectives and criminal investigators in 2014, according to the BLS.
Local governments hire the most detectives and criminal investigators (about 46,000 as of 2014, reported the BLS), but the federal governments is a close second in terms of number of detectives and criminal investigators employed. Most federal agencies have tougher requirements for employment
What Are the Requirements?
Education and Training
A GED or a high school diploma is the minimum amount of education a detective must have. In most cases, an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice is preferred. Being a detective is normally a position you're promoted to, so you'll first need to complete training at an academy and serve as a police officer. Requirements for becoming a police officer include being a U.S. citizen, holding a driver's license, meeting all physical qualifications and being 21 years old or older. Additionally, your agility, hearing and vision are tested.
If you have received a felony conviction, you may not be allowed to become a police officer or detective. Drug tests, interviews and lie detector tests are conducted throughout a law enforcement career. Placement on the promotion list for detective slots is typically based on one's performance on the job and on written exams.
What Do Employers Want in Detectives?
Employers want detectives who have the physical attributes to perform their job duties. Although you will receive physical training at the police academy, it is important to maintain your endurance and strength throughout your career. Additionally, employers want to make sure you're comfortable with interviewing people and handling uncooperative suspects. For more insights into what employers want, read about some qualifications listed in job postings in April 2012.
- An opening in Texas calls for a detective with five years of experience and/or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice; negotiating skills and an understanding of technical equipment and computers are also needed.
- In Florida, a department is looking for a detective who can specialize in working on cold cases. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice is preferred, and state-issued law enforcement certifications were required.
- A criminal investigator job in a District Attorney's office in Colorado was open for a certified peace officer who could demonstrate excellent interviewing and report-writing skills.
How Do You Stand Out as a Detective?
If you take the time to learn another language you'll set yourself apart from other detectives who only know English. Many urban departments and federal agencies are looking for detectives who speak Spanish or other foreign languages. This allows you to communicate with non-native English speakers effectively, which is beneficial in an investigation. Additionally, previous military experience is helpful. If you're a military veteran, many employers recognize the useful skills you've acquired from your military career. Military training can indicate that you're comfortable around weapons and that you've developed leadership skills as well as a keen eye for details.
Other Career Choices
If you're not interested in working in law enforcement but do want to work as a detective, look into becoming a private detective. You might investigate for a specific employer or take on multiple clients. As a private detective, you'll usually investigate personal, financial and legal matters for a client. The BLS reported that private detectives earned roughly $49,000 on average in 2011. Job growth for private detectives and investigators was predicted by the BLS to be 21% from 2010 to 2020, much stronger than the 7% growth predicted for detectives and criminal investigators in law enforcement.
If you're looking for a job that protects people and property but you're interested in minimal investigative work, consider being a security guard. Security guards patrol an employer's business or residence. Special surveillance equipment is used to ensure no one is breaking into the grounds. You'll help prevent vandalism and theft for your employer. The average earnings for security guards were about $27,000 in May 2011, according to the BLS. Expected job growth of 18% for 2010-2020 is about average for all professions, but is still considerably better than the outlook for detectives.
