Expert: Chris Wagoner - 3/2/2009

Question
I am from Waukegan Illinois I want to become a homicide detective I want to know how much they get paid? Also how I can get a homicide detective to come in my 8th grade class?

Answer
Well I am glad to hear you are thinking so far ahead. A Homicide Detective? That’s great. I was one for 7 years.

As for how much they make, it all depends on the department and how long you work there. Every Officer starts out at the same pay and you get a increase for the number of years you serve. Since most Homicide Detectives are the senior detectives they are usually on the higher end of the pay scale.

How do you get one to come to your school? Call (847) 599-2528 and tell them what you would like to do. Thats the phone number to the Criminal Investigations unit at the Waukegan police department.

There are a few things you can do that would help you out in a law enforcement career.

Some high schools offer courses in criminal justice, those would be helpful. Also check out the Law Enforcement Explorer Program. Waukegan Police Department has one, the Police Explorer Program is designed to educate 14 to 20 year old individuals about a career in law enforcement. For more information call, (847) 599-2585. After 5pm, please call (847) 599-5481. I started out as a police explorer at the ripe old age of 13! And I have been doing law enforcement ever since (28+ years!). (http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/)

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. Also keep your driving record clean, that’s almost as important as keeping your criminal record clean and not using any drugs.

Stay safe and god luck!