That is another noticeable difference between being a special agent and a detective. Detectives have to be much more resourceful and make due with what they have. For instance, a detective at a small local agency might not have access to an intelligence analyst or the additional manpower that federal agencies have. Local detectives gain experience very quickly and investigate anything from traffic accidents to murder and everything in between.
Typically, every U. For instance, federal agencies also employ forensic accountants , legal experts , intelligence analysts , etc. The list goes on and on and a special agent will have access to any of those resources to further their case. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The only variable is where they are located. To give you an idea, a U. One job is not better than the other. They collaborate with local law enforcement, federal and state agencies and prosecutors at all levels of government.
The larger the organization, the more opportunities homicide detectives have for advancement. In the New York Police Department, the largest in the country, detectives can move up the ranks as detective grade 2 and detective grade 3.
Every two to three years, the department offers exams for promotions to sergeant, lieutenant and captain, each with grade levels. Sapraicone, only 15 to 20 detectives are assigned to each homicide squad, and is considered the most prestigious assignment.
Criminal investigators have a broader career path than homicide investigators because of the variety of employers who need their services.
Within any of the country's state police departments, criminal investigators have opportunities to rise through the ranks within a division to regional commander and above. Alternatively, states like Virginia, offer law enforcement career tracks in areas such as security services and public safety compliance, each with levels of advancement.
Your training will probably involve shadowing another detective from your department. Here are some steps to follow to become an investigator:.
Becoming an investigator does not necessarily have educational requirements. However, earning a high school diploma or a GED can help put you on the path to success.
It's often an important first step if you want to pursue formal training or higher education courses. Earning a college degree may help you better prepare for your position. Consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in an area like criminal justice, forensics, psychology or sociology.
You may further your studies and develop a specialty by earning a master's degree in an area like forensics, financial crimes or cyber crimes. Learn more about working as a private investigator. Improve your knowledge of what private investigators do and their role in law enforcement. Learn more about various laws and best practices for security measures.
Consider practical training courses to develop your skills as an investigator. These include courses to help you learn more about interview techniques, best practices and similar subjects. These training courses may also help you develop skills to focus on a specific type of investigations, such as working as a financial or corporate investigator. Most states require you to earn a license to practice as an investigator. The requirements to earn a license will vary by state.
However, these licenses often assess your knowledge and experience with law enforcement and related matters. Here are some skill it's important for both detectives and investigators to develop:. Find jobs. Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Therefore, while police investigators have special privileges, private investigators can often devote more time and attention to personal and civil matters.
A private investigator, on the other hand, can thoroughly investigate, even if it appears that the person is missing by their own choice. Private investigators need to understand how to gather and analyze evidence much like police investigators. Additionally, they need to understand the law. If you hire one, he or she will not break the law to work your case. Many private investigators have prior law enforcement experience.
Working in law enforcement can be stressful and sometimes very upsetting. There is no requirement to have prior law enforcement experience, however some companies may require this before hiring an investigator to their team. There are a few parallels between police and private investigators. People in both professions gather and analyze evidence to understand the facts of a case.
Some private investigators may even have worked as police investigators previously.
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