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How do I become a police investigator ?

I am going for a police investigator career yet I don’t know much in what I need to do…?

I am planing of applying for Monmouth University when I graduate in 2025

career law criminal-justice police spring23 police-academy
Thank you comment icon Hi Jenny! I know nothing about what needs to be done to become a police investigator, but I noticed that you only have one college down that you are applying to. Yes, of course, I don't know if you have more that you're looking at, but it is good to apply for multiple just in case you don't get into the college of your choice. Hope this helps! P.S. Hello fellow class of '25 student! Kayla
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Elissa’s Answer

Hello Jenny! It's fantastic that you're considering such an exciting career and an excellent university. To start, I suggest speaking with people who are already working in that field. Why not visit your local police department and ask if anyone would be open to an informational interview with you? In these interviews, you can discover how they entered the field and reached their current positions.

Informational interviews can also help you build connections, as they might know about volunteer opportunities that could enhance your exploration and applications.
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Parkinson’s Answer

To effectively pursue any career, it's crucial to immerse yourself in the field as much as possible. For a police investigator role, such as a CIS or detective, you'll typically begin as a police officer before choosing this specialized path.

Many cities offer Cadet Corps programs, providing valuable access and insight into law enforcement. Additionally, consider volunteering for auxiliary units, where you'll work alongside professionals and gain a hands-on understanding of their responsibilities.
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Adrian’s Answer

Hello Jenny,

In straightforward terms, the most convenient path to becoming a police investigator is to start as a police officer. After gaining a few years of experience and when opportunities arise, you'll find that many local, state, and federal agencies will gladly welcome you to join their ranks as an investigator. Stay encouraged and keep pursuing your dreams!
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Mrinalini’s Answer

Hey Jenny, fantastic idea and impressive plans you've already made! Typically, it takes about 6 or more years. The first selection and training phase lasts for 1.5 to 2 years. Following that, you'll need to acquire the required work experience as a police officer to qualify for a promotion to "Detective."
Your decision is excellent, so I wholeheartedly wish you all the very best on your journey.
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Eric’s Answer

Hi Jenny,
Becoming a police investigator requires a combination of education, experience, and personal qualities. Start by obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent, as it is typically the minimum educational requirement. Pursuing a degree in criminal justice, criminology, or a related field can provide a solid foundation of knowledge. Consider internships or volunteer opportunities with law enforcement agencies to gain practical experience and insight into the investigative process. Building a strong foundation in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail is crucial. Develop strong research and analytical skills to effectively gather and analyze evidence. It is also essential to maintain a clean criminal record and a good reputation.

Aspiring investigators may need to start as police officers or gain experience in related roles before transitioning to an investigative position. Networking with professionals in law enforcement, attending seminars, and pursuing specialized training or certifications can further enhance your qualifications. Be prepared for a rigorous application process, including background checks, physical fitness tests, and interviews. By continuously building your skills, gaining relevant experience, and demonstrating a genuine passion for justice and public safety, you can work towards a career as a police investigator.
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Joseph-Shannon’s Answer

Law enforcement can be a tough but rewarding career. The fact that you are interested in this path now is impressive, and if you stay focused on achieving this, recruiters/ decision makers will take notice that you are dedicated to this career. You could do classic studying around criminology or psychology, but there are many ways to achieve your objective. You could study sociology (all about people and society and behavior). More importantly, what skills are truly helpful in forensic investigation? I would suggest: attention to detail; a natural curiosity; good problem solving skills; persistence; a desire to find out the "what" and the "why." So what activities will build these skills within you? Reading (especially mysteries)? Playing certain games (chess, Go, multi-player fantasy games even)? Basic science experiments (cause and effect relationships)? There's a lot you can do, to get yourself ready for this kind of work!
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Nicholas’s Answer

It's great you already have a good idea of what you want to do already, don't let go of that! Start researching any way you can, and you can probably even reach out to your local police force or constable directly via an inquiry line to ask about the career path and what you want to do. The worst they can do is say no or not respond, so why not!

Other than that you can always Google your way into finding the specific steps, programs and career path trajectory information of a job, people are always willing to share where they are and how they got there!
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Jeffrey’s Answer

Look for studies focusing on Forensics Investigator if that is your passion. The other thing you can do is major in Criminal Justice and attend Police Academy after you graduate. Once you become a police officer, it is a matter of transferring into the CIS division (provided that they have openings). Good luck!
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