3 answers
David
Student
Sioux City, Iowa
2
Questions
Asked
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I'm interested in the law but passionate about becoming a detective. What is your daily routine in uniform and how does it affect your personal life ?
Hi, my name is David and I'm a junior who is interested in law enforcement. Any insight would be appreciated!
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3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hi David,
It's awesome to see your passion for both law and becoming a detective — those two definitely go hand in hand! The life of a detective can be unpredictable, but it's also incredibly rewarding for those who thrive on solving puzzles and helping their community.
A detective’s daily routine can vary a lot depending on the type of cases they work on. Typically, detectives start the day by reviewing ongoing cases, checking for any updates, and planning the next steps. Some days might involve interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence at crime scenes, or collaborating with other law enforcement agencies. Other days could be spent writing detailed reports or preparing for court appearances.
One thing to know is that being a detective can blur the lines between work and personal life. Crimes don't happen on a schedule, so detectives are often on call — sometimes working long hours or being pulled into cases unexpectedly. It’s a career that demands dedication, but many detectives find the work incredibly fulfilling because they get to seek justice and make a real difference in people's lives.
If you're passionate about this path, consider exploring majors like Criminal Justice or Criminology, and look into internship opportunities with local law enforcement agencies. Programs like police cadet or explorer programs can also give you hands-on experience before you officially start your career.
Stay curious, stay driven, and never stop asking great questions — that's what makes a great detective in the first place!
Wishing you the best on your journey!
It's awesome to see your passion for both law and becoming a detective — those two definitely go hand in hand! The life of a detective can be unpredictable, but it's also incredibly rewarding for those who thrive on solving puzzles and helping their community.
A detective’s daily routine can vary a lot depending on the type of cases they work on. Typically, detectives start the day by reviewing ongoing cases, checking for any updates, and planning the next steps. Some days might involve interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence at crime scenes, or collaborating with other law enforcement agencies. Other days could be spent writing detailed reports or preparing for court appearances.
One thing to know is that being a detective can blur the lines between work and personal life. Crimes don't happen on a schedule, so detectives are often on call — sometimes working long hours or being pulled into cases unexpectedly. It’s a career that demands dedication, but many detectives find the work incredibly fulfilling because they get to seek justice and make a real difference in people's lives.
If you're passionate about this path, consider exploring majors like Criminal Justice or Criminology, and look into internship opportunities with local law enforcement agencies. Programs like police cadet or explorer programs can also give you hands-on experience before you officially start your career.
Stay curious, stay driven, and never stop asking great questions — that's what makes a great detective in the first place!
Wishing you the best on your journey!
Kevin Czora
Law enforcement
30
Answers
Amherst, New York
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi David,
I'll jump right to the answer. A typical day for me had been arriving at work, and checking on any new cases that may have been assigned to me. If there were new cases, an initial report would be on my desk, and possibly a briefing from road patrol on the incident.
After checking on reports, we, as a bureau, would meet and discuss current investigations. This would give us a chance to come up with game plans, or look at different directions we could take for eachothers cases.
After our meeting, I would start working on my cases. A typical day would often involve being called to a new investigation during my shift. In my agency, each detective would process their own crime scenes. This would involve photography, dusting for fingerprints, collecting possible DNA evidence, collecting other evidence, etc.
Other responsibilities included meeting with the District Attorney, testifying in court, meeting with other police agencies, and helping other detectives.
In addition to these daily tasks, we would often be called back into work for serious criminal investigations that required immediate attention. These cases would include homicides, robberies, assaults and burglaries, just to mention a few. On more than a few occassions, I was working for over 30 hours straight.
I hope my answer paints a clearer picture of a detectives day-to-day activities. But, keep in mind, your day is dictated by the criminal element, and they tend to be very unreliable.
Best of luck,
Kevin Czora
I'll jump right to the answer. A typical day for me had been arriving at work, and checking on any new cases that may have been assigned to me. If there were new cases, an initial report would be on my desk, and possibly a briefing from road patrol on the incident.
After checking on reports, we, as a bureau, would meet and discuss current investigations. This would give us a chance to come up with game plans, or look at different directions we could take for eachothers cases.
After our meeting, I would start working on my cases. A typical day would often involve being called to a new investigation during my shift. In my agency, each detective would process their own crime scenes. This would involve photography, dusting for fingerprints, collecting possible DNA evidence, collecting other evidence, etc.
Other responsibilities included meeting with the District Attorney, testifying in court, meeting with other police agencies, and helping other detectives.
In addition to these daily tasks, we would often be called back into work for serious criminal investigations that required immediate attention. These cases would include homicides, robberies, assaults and burglaries, just to mention a few. On more than a few occassions, I was working for over 30 hours straight.
I hope my answer paints a clearer picture of a detectives day-to-day activities. But, keep in mind, your day is dictated by the criminal element, and they tend to be very unreliable.
Best of luck,
Kevin Czora
Pat Golden-Romero
Teach Hospitality/ Culinary Arts, College Admissions
9
Answers
Santa Cruz, California
Updated
Pat’s Answer
Hi David, I am not in law enforcement but, I can speak to the relevant college majors to explore: Criminal Justice or Cyber Security. Maybe start out by enrolling in a community college, then you could transfer to a 4yr. program . good luck !