Detective Career
By: KC Liwanag
Mr. Beaton
Digital Citizenship
Occupation
Description
WORKING INDOORS
Detectives work in a variety of
environments depending on where
their duties take them. Whenever they
work indoors casing, organizing, and
writing files and reports are completed
usually in a police station.
Interrogating suspects is also a
responsibility of a detective.
WORKING OUTDOORS
A crime scene is where detectives can be
seen in action. Collecting the evidence and
making conclusions about possible suspects
are some of the tasks they need to achieve.
They work on duties such as monitoring
and observing suspects or even testifying in
court. These local travels are required.
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY
With the modern and improved technology
nowadays, detectives have become less used or
needed. Most specifically for detectives, security
cameras with video and audio surveillance do
most of the evidence collecting. There could be a
time in the future where technology have become
extremely advanced that there would be enough
evidence on what is seen and heard in the video;
detectives would not need to do anything else
with the case.
Hazardous Events
Going into this kind of career can be very
dangerous. Physical harm is involved when
performing undercover operations and
arresting suspects. Detectives should know
how to handle guns or any other kind of
weapons. In very traumatic events, detectives
can also be harmed mentally and
emotionally. Stress can be associated in
everyday work.
Representation of Women and Men
Both men and women detectives are
represented equally in their
occupation. Being a true detective is
all about wit and knowledge
regardless of their gender. However
statistically speaking, there are more
men detectives than women
because of physicality.
Organizations
Local Employers
•
Forensic Science and
Identification Services
Vancouver Police
Department
•
• BC Law Society
• ACFI (Association of
Certified Forensic
Investigators) of
Canada
•
Royal Canadian Mountain
Police
•
Surrey RCMP
• PIABC (Professional
Investigators’ Association of
BC)
• UNBC (University of
Northern British Columbia)
Qualifications
Necessary for
Entry and
Success
Physical and Personality Requirements
Before becoming a detective, he/she has to
meet specific physical qualifications. They have
to pass tests for vision, hearing, strength and
agility as well as competitive written tests.
When it comes to personality, there are also
requirements. Detectives have to be honest,
have empathy, good judgment, leadership and
communication skills, perceptiveness and have
excellent observation skills.
Preparation
Needed
Necessary General Education
and Special Training
Depending on which specialty, education
requirements range from a high school diploma to
a college or an even higher degree. Training as a
police officer is a must have. The training includes
patrol/ traffic control, use of firearms, selfdefense, first aid and emergency response. Other
training includes instruction in constitutional law,
civil rights, state laws and local ordinances and
police ethics. With hard work, from being a police
officer they can be promoted to a detective.
Training Institutions
In British Columbia
• The Vancouver Police
Department
• Professional
Investigators’ Association
of B.C
• Justice Institute of
British Columbia
Outside of British Columbia
• Bureau of Labor
Statistics
Training Information
• Takes 2-4 years to
complete
• Costs about $10 400
Entry Requirements and Courses
He/she have to be 21 years of age or older to be
accepted in the training. They should be a high
school graduate and have a degree preferably in
forensics and/or criminology. They also need to be
cleared of police department background checks and
should have passed medical and psychological
evaluations. The courses that are part of the program
are:
• Law and Criminal Justice Enforcement
• Forensic Psychology
• English Communications
• Crime Scene Investigation
Remuneration
Annual Earnings
A detective that is just starting out may
expect an annual earning of $35,000 to
$80,000. For experienced detectives, they
may receive an average earning of $70,000
to $120,000 per year. Since crimes occur at
any day and any minute, detectives work
almost everyday no matter which season it
is. Of course there will be occasional times
when a detective will need a day off because
of personal reasons.
Other Benefits
Detectives can expect to have benefits like
health insurance, uniform reimbursement, and
retirement. Exact salary figures/ amounts and
benefit packages will vary depending on which
experience, police department and education
they have. Extra might be given after finishing a
special task.
How to get started
towards this
occupation
Beneficial Subjects,
Activities, and Part Time Jobs
It is important to learn and complete
English, Math, Science, Foreign Languages
and Physical Education in high school to
train on being a detective. Other hobbies
and extracurricular activities such as sports
and taking computer science might also be
needed in specific work/ tasks. Before
becoming a detective, he/she is required to
be a police officer.
Employment
Advancement and
Outlook
Job Prospects
The applicants with a bachelor’s degree
and law enforcement or military
experience, especially investigative
experience, as well as those who speak
more than one language should have the
best job opportunities. Job prospects
should be best for trained officers with
related work experience.
Advancement Opportunities
Some of the opportunities for
advancement within this investigative
career field are Detective Sergeant and
Detective Lieutenant. However these
positions are mostly supervisory and
administrative positions which means
there will less 'hands-on' investigative
involve.
Conclusion
My Opinion and Self Employment
In my opinion, helping people get justice for something is one
of the advantages. A big risk of physical and mental harm is
the disadvantage.
There are self-employment opportunities in this
occupation. He/she can be offered as a private detective as
long as it is legal and have all requirements. They can also
create and build their own business and become a private
investigator.
I think that I have the wit and knowledge to be a detective.
Some of the skills that are needed for this occupation I still
have to improve on. I will need to work very hard to be a
detective and I believe I can do it.
Bibliography
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<https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/profile-at-a-glance/566>.
• "Detective Careers, Salary and Requirements." Legal Career Path. The
LegalCareerPath Team, 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://legalcareerpath.com/detective/>.
• "Detectives and Criminal Investigators." Campus Explorer. N.p., 2015.
Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.campusexplorer.com/careers/1B470F41/detectives-andcriminal-investigators/>.
• "Private Detectives and Investigators." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/private-detectives-andinvestigators.htm>.
• "Study.com." Study.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://study.com/articles/Police_Detective_Training_Program_Inform
ation.html>.