Expert: Chris Wagoner - 11/6/2009

Question
 Hello, my name is James. I'm 16 and live in Australia. Once I have left school, I am very interested in law inforcement and more specifically, detective work.
 I understand that to become a detective years must be spent as a general duties officer, but what I'm interested in is which university qualifications would assist most in promotion to a detective position. Would it be wise to study criminology, forensics, law or another subject? I am confident that I would be accepted into one of these as an undergraduate course, I have consistant good grades.
 Also, in the mean time, are there any particular skills which I should practice which may help me in an investigative occupation?

Answer
Hey James,

Well there are a lot of different types of Investigators. It also depends on where you work. See smaller departments use detectives to investigate more varied types of crimes.

Getting a college degree is going to be very important. That is what many departments require for their officers and especially the detective. Courses in Criminology, Criminal Forensics, Criminalistics, Abnormal Psychology all help a Detective. So start thinking about that. Even a 2 year would be very very helpful. I have 2 in criminal justice and they are very helpful. Some departments require them to get hired, and some require it to get promoted. Either way getting that college degree is important.

Some departments require a certain number of years as a patrol officer before you can apply for the position of Detective. The requirements are up to the department. Some are as little as a year, and some are more.

A homicide Detective is only one of many types of investigators. Here is a short description of some of the different types:

Major Cases Section: includes the Aggravated Felonies Unit, Homicide, Cold Cases, Traffic Homicide, the Bomb Unit and the Analytical Support Unit. These units investigate the most serious crimes that threaten society: aggravated assault, aggravated battery, stalking, kidnapping, murder, bombings and arsons.

Special Victims and Family Crimes Section: includes the Abuse and Neglect Unit, the Sex Crimes Unit, the Missing Persons Unit and the Domestic Violence Unit. Created in May 2000, this section takes a holistic approach to dealing with crimes stemming from intra-family dysfunction and violence.

Abuse and neglect of any family member (spouses/partners, children, elderly, the frail or infirm and animal companions) are investigated by detectives who also work to identify other family members who are equally at risk. With early identification and intervention, through outreach and educational efforts and through victim empowerment, vulnerable family members can break free from the cycle of violence or abuse.

Strategic Cases Section: includes the Career Criminal Unit, the Robbery Unit, the Economic Crimes Unit, the Polygraph Unit and the Case Filing Unit.

The Career Criminal Unit is an aggressive and highly proactive unit. The unit targets both juvenile and adult habitual offenders, and tracks and updates files on sexual predators and offenders residing in the area they cover.

The Economic Crime Unit is a leader in the investigation and prosecution of unscrupulous telemarketers and handles other serious financial crimes involving fraud and identity theft.


Here is a list of just some of the additional units available in the police department:

Aviation Unit
Bicycle Patrol
Bomb Squad
Canine Unit
Child Protective Investigations Section
Contractor Licensing and Fraud Unit
Crime Scene and Crime Lab
Crime Stoppers Unit
DUI Unit
Economic Crime Unit
Evidence Unit
Marine Unit and Dive Team
Mass Transit Unit
Motorcycle Unit
Mounted Patrol
Regional Investigations Division
School Resource Deputy Unit
SWAT Team
Victim Services Unit

And that is not all of them!!!!

So you see there are many other specialty units you can get into also.

I hope this gives you a few ideas and things to think about.

Stay safe and good luck!