dcsimg



Schools in the USA
Back to Career Search     

Police Investigator

Description

 There are few careers out there that sound as intriguing, exciting, and dangerous as that of detective, or police investigator. Of all the movies and television shows that get made about the police, most of them deal with the investigators, those police officers who track down murderers, thieves, drug and prostitution rings and other offenders. They usually work in a detective department, like the sexual assault squad or the cold case squad, interviewing witnesses and suspects. Some police detectives, called forensic identification specialists, work behind the scenes in laboratories, using chemicals and dyes and tests to try and figure out how and a crime was committed using evidence found at the scene.

Investigators can provide information to other officers and prosecutors regarding firearms dealing, immigration enforcement, Internet abuse, fraud, missing persons investigations, as well as do undercover work to track information, evidence, and criminals.

Quite a lot of time is spent in the police precinct, completing paperwork. Police officers need to document each action they take in a criminal investigation, or any routine outreach they are involved in. This is important because other officers may deal with the same situation later, and want to know what action was taken previously. In a criminal investigation, detectives, lawyers, and judges will need to know details for court proceedings, and a police officer may be required to testify months or even years later - therefore, accurate notes are crucial.

Usually, investigators work in two-person investigative teams. Depending on their unit or division, they will travel the communities, answering calls from regular officers who have come across mysterious crime scenes, or following up tips and complaints made by citizens. Investigators work with other police, lawyers, and the government in order to protect all citizens and get justice for others.
  		View Schools for this Career: 
         Related Careers
arrow Air Weapons Control Officer
arrow Ambassador
arrow Artillery Officer
arrow [ view all related careers ]



Program Spotlight
Matching School Ad
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University. Private. Nonprofit. Accredited.
Programs Offered:
  • MS in Criminal Justice
Request

 

 


  Average Earnings  
Lowest 10% of Earners:
$31,010
  		Median Salary:
$51,410
  		Highest 10% of Earners:
$80,380

  Interests and Skills  
Interested in a job in law enforcement? These individuals must be keen observers who notice details, good communicators who are able to speak with and listen to children, panicked victims, and suspects. They must be calm, and able to ask questions without frightening or alienating the person they are interviewing. A good understanding of the law and a desire to see justice done properly are important qualities. They should be interested in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation and have an interest in working with the community to stop criminal cycles. Honesty, maturity, integrity, and a non-sexist, culturally open attitude are tremendous assets to a successful police officer. Computer skills are also required.
 

  Typical Tasks  
  • Lead, conduct, or support investigations
  • Look into mysterious deaths and disappearances
  • Investigate organizations involved in the trafficking and importation of drugs
  • Monitor the activities of high-risk parolees and career criminals
  • Investigate illegal gambling, theft and other illegal activities
  • Analyze evidence
  • Support other law enforcement agencies in planning and conducting specialized investigations
  • Keep reports of all activities
  • An investigator will not spend every day looking at dead bodies and tracking organized crime bosses. More likely, the day will be spent in the police department, researching past cases, documenting recent events, and meeting with other investigators. When crimes and suspects are under investigation investigators will be traveling throughout the city, following up tips or ideas, tracking down witnesses and informants.

  Workplaces, Employers and Industries  
  • Police investigators are employed by police forces. Those working in smaller towns may act as both a regular officer and as an investigator.

  Long Term Career Potential  
As a trained police officer, a police investigator can always stay with the force, moving up the ranks to supervisory roles within the department. There is also the possibility or joining another type of police or investigation unit, like forensics or highway police. And then there is always the possibility of leaving the field altogether and becoming a consultant for movies and TV, a private investigator, or a security consultant.
 

  Educational Paths  
Police investigators must first become regular officers. To do this, one must apply to a police force. While it is not required, some level of postsecondary education may enhance an applicant's chances of gaining employment with a police force. Aspiring police investigators may choose to attend a community college to obtain diploma in law enforcement or police foundations, or may decide to obtain university degree.

The length of the training program to become an officer will vary depending according to the type of police force.

Once employed with a police force, officers can be promoted to an investigative position after gaining experience.
 

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2002, http://www.bls.gov/oes/2002/oes_nat.htm

Featured Schools
Matching School Ads
Southern New Hampshire University  Online
Southern New Hampshire University. Private. Nonprofit. Accredited.
Programs Offered:
  • MS in Criminal Justice
Campus Locations:
  • , NH
Request

 
Brightwood College  Online

About Brightwood College

Brightwood College offers accelerated programs that combine flexible schedules and professional instruction to create a rewarding learning experience for individuals focused on gaining the skills for specific careers. Brightwood College is owned and operated by Education Corporation of America.

Programs Offered:
  • Criminal Justice
Campus Locations:
  • Bakersfield, CA
Request

 
Ashford University  Online

Technology changes everything®

You’ve found Ashford University, where school comes to you

Programs Offered:
  • BA/Law Enforcement Administration
  • MS Criminal Justice
  • BA/Social and Criminal Justice
  • more programs...
Campus Locations:
  • , CA
Request

 
Keiser University  Online

For over 35 years, Keiser University has provided student-centered, quality career education. Keiser University Online offers degree programs online to prepare students for in-demand professions.

Programs Offered:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Campus Locations:
  • , FL
Request

 
UEI College  Online

At UEI College, we want you to succeed. We’re like a family and we want you to be a part of it.

Programs Offered:
  • Criminal Justice (9-Month Diploma Program)
Campus Locations:
  • Fresno, CA
Request

 
Boston University - Online  Online
Earn a highly respected online degree from Boston University
Programs Offered:
  • Master of Criminal Justice
Campus Locations:
  • Boston, MA
Request

 
Platt College  Online
Turn your talents into a career at nationally recognized and accredited Platt College.
Programs Offered:
  • Criminal Justice
Campus Locations:
  • Ontario, CA
Request

 
California University of Pennsylvania  Online

Study online with California University of Pennsylvania.

Programs Offered:
  • Applied Criminology Certificate
  • Behavioral Crime Analysis Certificate
Campus Locations:
  • California, PA
Request

 
Liberty University  Online

Liberty University provides a world-class education with a solid Christian foundation, equipping men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for success in every aspect of life.

Programs Offered:
  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • AA in Criminal Justice
  • CERT: Criminal Justice
Campus Locations:
  • Lynchburg, VA
Request

 
South University, Online Programs  Online

Designed with the needs of working adult students in mind, South University, Online Programs is built on the similar curriculum offered at South University's campus locations. As a student at South University, Online Programs you will receive the same quality instruction, variety of learning options and level of service found at the campus locations.

Programs Offered:
  • Criminal Justice (BS)
  • Criminal Justice (MS)
Campus Locations:
  • Savannah, GA
Request

 
Matching School Ads
  Universities and Colleges
Clarkson UniversityColorado School of MinesDalhousie University
Oral Roberts UniversityPenn State HarrisburgTemple University
The University of HoustonThompson Rivers UniversityUNB Saint John
University of AlabamaUniversity of ArkansasUniversity of British Columbia
University of IowaUniversity of New BrunswickUniversity of Oregon
University of OttawaYork University
Agriculture and Bio-resources | Allied Health and Health Sciences | Applied Business Technology | Architecture
Business Administration | Computer Science | Cosmetology and Esthetics | Culinary, Travel &Hospitality | Dance 
Engineering Technology & Applied Technology |Engineering | Film | Fine Arts and Design | Humanities and Liberal ArtsJustice and Security
Music | Natural and Applied Sciences | Naturopathic and Holistic MedicineNursingPublic Administration & PolicyReligious and Theological Studies
Sport Sciences and Physical Education | Teacher Education | Theatre
Articles | College News | Videos | Feedback | Career Search
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Faq | Terms of Use | Policy Statement | Site Map | Cities Site Map

Copyright 2003- 2016 QuinStreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.