Expert: Chris Wagoner - 6/1/2009

Question
How many years of school do i have to go through to get a degree in being a detective and being a detective in a sex crime department

Answer
Hi Roxie

To be a police detective one must start out as a police patrol officer.  A patrol officer must pay his or her dues before moving up the ranks to a police detective.  As spots become available a police patrol officer can test for those positions.  Many agencies allow a patrol officer to test after 2 to 3 years with the department.  Some departments require 5 years.  The promotion from police patrol officer to police detective is not a quick one.  Larger departments require applicants to possess 60 units of college credit or an associate degree.  Smaller departments may not require college credit but a college education makes for a much more well-rounded police detective. Check out our Law Enforcement Degree Programs and Criminal Justice Degree Programs.

The majority of police departments require applicants to be 20 years old, a U.S. citizen, GED or equivalent and many now require an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree to become a police officer.  State and Federal agency jobs require applicants to possess a 4-year college degree.  Being able to speak a second language fluently is a definite plus for applicants.  Police Officer applicants also undergo a variety of tests including physical, medical, written and psychological. Once accepted to a police department you will attend training at an academy for 12 weeks to 1 year depending on the department.  

Request information from University of Phoenix and learn more about how a degree can help you succeed in a Police Officer career.

Keep in mind that the higher paying police officer and detective jobs are in more affluent areas and are therefore much more competitive jobs to apply for.  Make sure you can set yourself apart from the competition by earning a college degree before applying or during the application process.  A college degree will also start you off at a higher salary in any area, affluent or not.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics actually states that those applicants with college training in criminal justice or police science should have the best opportunities.

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Police Detective Job Salary and Job Outlook
The median Police Detective salary as of May, 2004 was $53,990 a year as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The top 10% of Police Detectives, as of  May 2004, made more than $86,010 a year.  The Los Angeles Police Department offers a starting salary of $56,898 a year for police officers with a bachelor’s (4-year) degree.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that there will be a continued high demand for police officers through 2012. With the way the economy is heading, crime trends are predicted to increase, resulting in a greater demand for highly trained and educated law enforcement personnel including police detectives. This is a great time to start a career in law enforcement.