Expert: Dick Rogers - 7/7/2009

Question
Hello, my name is Trent and I am an 18 year old male from the southside of Chicago. Ever since I've been young I've always been very interested in law enforcement and in my last few years of high school I've become even more so interested in making a profession of homicide detective. I'd like to ask a few questions to you if that's ok. From what I know already from asking some neighbors who are police officers that to become a homicide detective you must have atleast three years experience as a cop working the streets and patrolling before you can even be considered for promotion to homicide detective. I'll be going away to college in the fall to study criminal justice and get my degree so that I can become a police officer. My question to you is what's the best route at becoming a homicide detective? Are there any classes or anything I coud be reading right now to get a head start on becoming a homicide detective? Also if you have any other information that could potentially help me out I'd be very thankful. Again thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

thanks again, Trent

Answer
Trent, I am asked many times by young people the route to becoming a homicide detective.  I usually send the questions to the question pool.  In your case, however, I feel that you have posed your inquiry well and you are taking some initial steps that will be fruitful for you in years to come.  First step, yes, get a degree.  It really isn't too important what subject matter you choose in that whatever useful things you pick up will be addressed in the academy and from many years of experience in the field.  If they select officers for homicide work after three years in Chicago...God help them!  I can't imagine someone having sufficient experience in case law, rules of evidence, search warrant affidavits, nor the time needed to develop a bunch of good confidential informants.  In Los Angeles (The Sheriff and PD), fifteen years of experience is pretty much the norm.  One basically ends up in homicide as the final cap on one's career.  I turned down a good promotion to lieutenant to stay in homicide.  As to the best route to become a homicide detective...be as good a street cop as you can...stay rigidly honest, make good arrests...always let it be known you are prepping yourself to work homicide.  You may find that you will have to work another detective unit before working homicide.  Narco is good, vice is bad (too much booze and goofing off) forgery unit - good, sex crimes - very good.  Just keep your ears open and listen to what people are saying about specific units.  And be very, very interested in what is occurring in courts relative to police procedure.  A detective who is well versed in current case law can prepare excellent search warrant affidavits...impressing judges who have to sign them, etc.  Stay clear of graft, corruption, etc.  It exists and if it exists where you wish to hang your hat, move on.  Move to LA...we are pretty damn clean and honest out here.  Hope this helps Trent.  Good luck in you schooling and your career.