4 answers
arianna
Student
Saginaw, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
1084 views
what does it take to become a crime-investigator and what are the other jobs that are like this?
? im a 15-year-old girl who always has, and I mean always been interested in crime documentation and investigations, but I don't know how I would start it honestly. I know I would never want to be a police officer because Im kind of scared of them based on the past and the salary, I know it would take time but what would I do even to start this? I would love to help people get closure and be an investigator but it seems to me that it's police work first I'm just so confused about how I feel about this. what do I need for college credits? where would I even go?
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4 answers
Michael Burke, CPP, CIPM, CFEI
Law Enforcement/Investigations
39
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Michael’s Answer
You're asking the right questions at the right time. In general, Investigators do start their careers as uniformed police officers. You would attend a law enforcement professional Academy, 20 weeks to 6 months, and learn a great deal of the basics of law, Constitutional responsibilities of police and their agencies, report writing, firearms skills, self defense techniques, and more.
While different, education and training are inextricably linked. Education denotes study and intellectual development. Training is primarily learning-by-doing. The military - even a single tour of duty- provides BOTH.
One option for you- discuss with your parents and school counselors- is to enlist in the Army, Air Force, Marines or Navy at age 17.
All of those branches will accept you-if you meet the testing requirements and medical/physical examinations.
Example- Army/Marines - Military Police School. The United States Army Military Police School Trains, Educates, and Develops Military Police Civilians, Soldiers, and Leaders.
OVERVIEW
Military Police protect the lives and property on Army National Guard installations by enforcing military laws and regulations. They also control traffic, prevent crime and respond to all emergencies.
JOB DUTIES- Complete law enforcement patrols - Interview witnesses, victims and suspects in investigations - Secure and process crime scenes - Arrest and charge criminal suspects
TRAINING - Job training for military police requires 19 weeks, 1 day of One Station Unit Training, and on-the-job instruction in police methods. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field. Advanced Individual Training is 9 weeks and 1 day at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Some of the skills you'll learn are: Basic warrior skills and use of firearms; Military/civil laws and jurisdiction; Investigating and collecting evidence; Traffic and crowd control; Arrest and restraint of suspects
HELPFUL SKILLS - Interest in law enforcement; Ability to make quick decisions; Ability to remain calm under heavy duress; Ability to interact well with people.
----------------
Military Police (5811) are enlisted Marines who serve under the command of Military Police Officers. Military Police Officers hold more responsibility than Military Police and are charged with administering the law on Marine Corps bases while overseeing the enlisted Marine Police they are assigned.
------------Military Police Investigator------------
The Military Police Investigator Course is an eight-week course taught at the United States Army Military Police School, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. We train Military Police Investigators for the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense and Allied Nations.
- - - - - -
You can attend many excellent colleges and universities while serving during a 2-4 year contract. (Some classes in traditional classrooms, some by virtual learning at your desk or laptop.) You could complete an AA or BA degree BEFORE you reach the age of 21, and have the additional bonus of Veteran status when applying for your Second career opportunity. This opens doors for careers in local (County or City Police), State or Federal law enforcement and Detective/Investigator careers.
DHS/HSI -
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is a premier federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We shield our nation from global threats to ensure Americans are safe and secure.
HSI investigates crime on a global scale – at home, abroad and online – to prevent harm to you locally.
We live and work alongside the people we are sworn to protect, so our work is personal. HSI identifies, investigates and stops criminals, while supporting those victimized by their crimes.
HSI is committed to protecting you and serving our country. Through innovation, hard work and determination, we work with our partners to combat crime and keep you safe.
FBI
https://home.army.mil/wood/units-tenants/USAMPS
https://home.army.mil/wood/units-tenants/USAMPS/MPOrganizations/directorate-training-education/military-police-investigations-division/military-police-investigator
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/who-we-are
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=FBI
While different, education and training are inextricably linked. Education denotes study and intellectual development. Training is primarily learning-by-doing. The military - even a single tour of duty- provides BOTH.
One option for you- discuss with your parents and school counselors- is to enlist in the Army, Air Force, Marines or Navy at age 17.
All of those branches will accept you-if you meet the testing requirements and medical/physical examinations.
Example- Army/Marines - Military Police School. The United States Army Military Police School Trains, Educates, and Develops Military Police Civilians, Soldiers, and Leaders.
OVERVIEW
Military Police protect the lives and property on Army National Guard installations by enforcing military laws and regulations. They also control traffic, prevent crime and respond to all emergencies.
JOB DUTIES- Complete law enforcement patrols - Interview witnesses, victims and suspects in investigations - Secure and process crime scenes - Arrest and charge criminal suspects
TRAINING - Job training for military police requires 19 weeks, 1 day of One Station Unit Training, and on-the-job instruction in police methods. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field. Advanced Individual Training is 9 weeks and 1 day at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Some of the skills you'll learn are: Basic warrior skills and use of firearms; Military/civil laws and jurisdiction; Investigating and collecting evidence; Traffic and crowd control; Arrest and restraint of suspects
HELPFUL SKILLS - Interest in law enforcement; Ability to make quick decisions; Ability to remain calm under heavy duress; Ability to interact well with people.
----------------
Military Police (5811) are enlisted Marines who serve under the command of Military Police Officers. Military Police Officers hold more responsibility than Military Police and are charged with administering the law on Marine Corps bases while overseeing the enlisted Marine Police they are assigned.
------------Military Police Investigator------------
The Military Police Investigator Course is an eight-week course taught at the United States Army Military Police School, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. We train Military Police Investigators for the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense and Allied Nations.
- - - - - -
You can attend many excellent colleges and universities while serving during a 2-4 year contract. (Some classes in traditional classrooms, some by virtual learning at your desk or laptop.) You could complete an AA or BA degree BEFORE you reach the age of 21, and have the additional bonus of Veteran status when applying for your Second career opportunity. This opens doors for careers in local (County or City Police), State or Federal law enforcement and Detective/Investigator careers.
DHS/HSI -
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is a premier federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We shield our nation from global threats to ensure Americans are safe and secure.
HSI investigates crime on a global scale – at home, abroad and online – to prevent harm to you locally.
We live and work alongside the people we are sworn to protect, so our work is personal. HSI identifies, investigates and stops criminals, while supporting those victimized by their crimes.
HSI is committed to protecting you and serving our country. Through innovation, hard work and determination, we work with our partners to combat crime and keep you safe.
FBI
Michael recommends the following next steps:
Pat O'Brien
consulting for government
4
Answers
Alexandria, Virginia
Updated
Pat’s Answer
If you are interested in law enforcement and investigations but do not want to be a uniformed police officer, it is important to develop a specialty -- whether it is finance/accounting, computer science, forensic science or the like. Agencies like IRS Criminal Investigations are looking for accountants and financial professionals to investigate finanical and tax crimes. Many agencies are looking for computer and cyber experts to combat cyber crimes and analyze digital evidence. Even private sector companies, like banks and insurance companies and others - have internal fraud units that work to protect the company and its customers from fraudsters. Those can be excellent training ground early in your career as you position for a job in government law enforcement.
Chris Kearns
Teacher (Retired Law Enforcement)
2
Answers
Lander, Wyoming
Updated
Chris’s Answer
If you're interested in becoming an investigator with a police department, typically you would need to spend time as a patrol officer for a few years before testing to be selected for investigations. However, it sounds like you feel like that path might not be the best fit. An alternative might be to become a federal agent (FBI, DEA, BATF, etc.). It would be more challenging to get hired initially but you would move directly into an investigator role. You might be able to apply for an investigator position with a state investigative agency, but these typically are looking for applicants with prior law enforcement experience. Federal agencies generally require at least a bachelor's degree. I don't want to speak as to what degrees these agencies are looking for, but my advice to people going into local law enforcement was always to look for a major other than criminal justice. Law enforcement employers are primarily looking for a college degree as evidence that you can communicate effectively (orally and in writing), have a solid work ethic, can stay organized and manage tasks, and can think critically. Think about a degree that would continue to serve you if you decide to leave law enforcement for another profession (business, communications, psychology, etc.) and that will hold your interest for four years.
You mentioned crime scene documentation... you may want to explore becoming a criminalist or crime scene technician. There are far fewer of these positions out there, but they might fit your interest better.
Explore jobs with federal law enforcement agencies.
Explore crime scene technician or criminalist jobs.
You mentioned crime scene documentation... you may want to explore becoming a criminalist or crime scene technician. There are far fewer of these positions out there, but they might fit your interest better.
Chris recommends the following next steps:
Jaiana Casanova
Consultant | Anti-Money Laundering Consulting
3
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Jaiana’s Answer
Hello Arianna,
An area not as known that could be of interest to you is Financial Crimes, which can be done as part of law enforcement but also on the private side, with banks or consulting firms. I think the previous answers to your question present great options for you to consider, so I want to add my experience working with Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions as a different path to also consider.
I'm a lawyer by training, and by pure opportunity, I started my career in banking conducting anti-money laundering investigations for financial institutions. By regulation, banks are required to have an anti-money laundering program, which include risk assessments, transaction monitoring and investigations, audit, customer research; and for this they employ people from all backgrounds, including many former law enforcement. I work as a consultant and I advice banks on how to create and maintain those programs.
Like others pointed out, to be considered for similar positions, a college degree is required. I don't think there is a particular profile needed for this, since I've worked with people with all sorts of backgrounds, but certainly being able to write and to express yourself properly is crucial, having presentation skills, having an understanding of banking, business, accounting, law, among other areas. As you see, these are areas that you could focus on in college that can also help you pursue many careers.
Hope this helps! best of luck!
An area not as known that could be of interest to you is Financial Crimes, which can be done as part of law enforcement but also on the private side, with banks or consulting firms. I think the previous answers to your question present great options for you to consider, so I want to add my experience working with Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions as a different path to also consider.
I'm a lawyer by training, and by pure opportunity, I started my career in banking conducting anti-money laundering investigations for financial institutions. By regulation, banks are required to have an anti-money laundering program, which include risk assessments, transaction monitoring and investigations, audit, customer research; and for this they employ people from all backgrounds, including many former law enforcement. I work as a consultant and I advice banks on how to create and maintain those programs.
Like others pointed out, to be considered for similar positions, a college degree is required. I don't think there is a particular profile needed for this, since I've worked with people with all sorts of backgrounds, but certainly being able to write and to express yourself properly is crucial, having presentation skills, having an understanding of banking, business, accounting, law, among other areas. As you see, these are areas that you could focus on in college that can also help you pursue many careers.
Hope this helps! best of luck!