How To Become a Police Detective

Stan T.Career, RequirementsLeave a Comment

How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]What degree do you need [/custom_headline]
Recommended degree level

High School Diploma

We did a survey to ask other Police Detectives what degree they had when they became a Police Detective. Here are the results.
High School Diploma
37.8%

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Associate’s Degree
18.96%

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College Certificate
18.37%

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One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Police Detectives or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Police Detectives what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Criminal Justice
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management

Police Detectives must have at least a high school education or GED and be a graduate of their agency’s training academy. Many agencies and some police departments require some college coursework or a college degree.

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Featured Schools

[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]How hard is it [/custom_headline]
Difficulty
Not Too Hard

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Police Detective. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.

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Related work experience required
None

None
39.07%

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2 to 4 years
19.01%

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4 to 6 years
13.63%

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Job training
3 to 6 months

3 to 6 months
27.73%

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6 months to 1 year
19.09%

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1 to 2 years
16.84%

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]License and certifications [/custom_headline]
Do you need any license or certification
Must be at least 21 years old and meet physical requirements

Police Detectives must be U.S. citizens, usually be at least 21 years old, have a driver’s license, and meet specific physical qualifications. Applicants may have to pass physical exams of vision, hearing, strength, and agility, as well as competitive written exams. Previous work or military experience is often seen as a plus.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Skills required [/custom_headline]

We asked other Police Detectives if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

1. [icon type=”fire” style=”color: #B1090F; margin-right: 5px;”] Speaking [extra href=”#example” title=”Speaking” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Talking to others to convey information effectively.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
2. Active Listening [extra href=”#example” title=”Active Listening” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
3. Critical Thinking [extra href=”#example” title=”Critical Thinking” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
4. Social Perceptiveness [extra href=”#example” title=”Social Perceptiveness” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
5. Reading Comprehension [extra href=”#example” title=”Reading Comprehension” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]

[icon type=”fire” style=”color: #B1090F;”] = Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Knowledge required [/custom_headline]

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Police Detectives are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

1. [icon type=”fire” style=”color: #B1090F; margin-right: 5px;”] Law and Government [extra href=”#example” title=”Law and Government” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
2. Public Safety and Security [extra href=”#example” title=”Public Safety and Security” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
3. English Language [extra href=”#example” title=”English Language” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
4. Psychology [extra href=”#example” title=”Psychology” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]
5. Customer and Personal Service [extra href=”#example” title=”Customer and Personal Service” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.” style=”font-size: 12px; float: right; margin-left: 5px;”]what does this mean[/extra]

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[content_band class=”toc-bottom” border=”all”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″]Learn more about Police Detectives[/custom_headline]
[icon type=”home”] Summary
[icon type=”list-ul”] Job Description
[icon type=”dollar”] Salary
[icon type=”graduation-cap”] Requirements (You are here)
[icon type=”heart”] Quiz
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Related to Police Detectives Requirements

Police Detectives requirements, how to become Police Detectives, degree required to be a Police Detective, Police Detectives license and certifications, majors to be a Police Detective, is it hard to become a Police Detective and how long does it take

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