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Criminal Law/i need help for becoming a HOMICIDE DETECTIVE
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Question
could you give me some sites about things needed to become a homicide detective. If you could just answer a few questions for me.
1. what are the duties of this job?
2. what training do you need for this job?
3. what are the working conditions?
4. what is the outlook for this job? good, fair, or poor?
5. what is the salary?
6. and possibly some additional information.
Thanks So Much!
Nikki, this information is taken from "Ask an Investigator" at: http://www.askaninvestigator.com/homicide.php
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What kind of degree(s) should I get to become a Homicide Detective?
First and foremost, you have to get your high school diploma. Then you can attend college to get an Associate’s degree (2-year) or Bachelor’s degree (4-year). Keep in mind that many police departments will require a Bachelor’s degree. Criminal Justice is the best choice of major if you want to become a Homicide Detective. Forensics or Criminology is not quite what you need, but that may be an alternative if you cannot find a Criminal Justice degree program. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, you can go after a Master’s degree, which will greatly improve your value when you applying for the job. In general, you will also earn a higher salary with a Master’s degree.
Do I have to go to college if I want to become a Homicide Detective?
In general, yes. Most Homicide Detectives will have a Bachelor’s degree. Some people can become Homicide Detective’s without college education, but the education makes that person more competitive to get the job that they want. However, you should contact a few local police departments and ask what their requirements are for becoming a detective. Some police departments will require a Bachelor’s degree, while a few others may only require a high school diploma.
How long will it take to become a Homicide Detective?
It can take anywhere from 7-10 years after graduating high school. This includes the time at college (2 or 4 year degrees). ALL Homicide Detectives started out as police officers. As a police officer, you will learn techniques and knowledge about law enforcement that the average civilian will not know. To become a homicide detective, you must first be hired by a Police Department. Once you are hired, you will attend training at a police academy. Once you complete your initial training, you will become a uniformed patrol officer. Understand that you cannot just “jump” straight up to Detective, but that you must have experience as an officer first. You can expect to work as an officer for 2 or 3 years. This amount of time will vary depending on your performance as an officer. Once you move up to Detective, you will then gain experience in full investigations, generally “lesser” felonies. After 1-2 years or more, you can then move to the “Homicide” division of the police department. Not all police departments have specific divisions for homicides, but even if the department does not, you will not be handling homicide cases your first day as a Detective.
Do I have to become a Police Officer first before becoming a Homicide Detective?
Yes. There are no exceptions. Unlike CSI’s, who MAY have a chance to work as a “unsworn” officer, Homicide Detectives are police officers. You must understand what it’s like to be a patrol officer, and you must understand what it’s like to be a “regular” detective first.
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How much does a Homicide Detective make a year?
You can expect to make around $35,000 a year as a Homicide Detective. Keep in mind that your salary will heavily depend on the city your in and the department you work for. Homicide Detectives in New York City will make a significantly higher salary than a homicide detective in rural Georgia. But even in New York City, the county police officers may make a lower salary than the city police. $30k-$40k is a good estimate of what to expect.
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Best of luck to you!
JP
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Answers by Expert:
Jeffrey-Peter Hauck
Expertise
I would welcome the opportunity to answer questions relating to or related to the field of criminal law. I possess the experience and education necessary to answer your concerns or to point you in the right direction. I appreciate your confidence. Thank you!
Experience
Licensed Private Detective with expansive clientele base encompassing hundreds of cases. Donates resources and time to the Children's Rescue Network in Orlando, FL.
Adjunct professor of Criminal Justice, Political Science, & Paralegal Studies teaching on the courses of: "Criminal Law;" "Constitutional Law;" "Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals;" "Real Estate Law for Paralegals;" "Psychological Profiling;" "Introduction to the Criminal Justice System," White Collar Crime;" "Crime Prevention;" "Risk Management;" "International Policing;" "Eight Skills of the Effective Criminal Justice Student;" "Deviance and Violence;" Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Capstone;" among others.
Decorated retired 15 year veteran police sergeant, twice promoted through the civil service commission. Served in the capacities of patrol officer, training officer, SWAT officer, first line patrol supervisor and administrative supervisor. Graduate of several criminal investigation schools and currently a licensed private detective. Holding over 50 certifications related to police training and instructing in disciplines such as "defensive tactics," "firearms," and "professional development."
12 year veteran of the United States Army. Rank of Staff-Sergeant (E-6). Held positions of Platoon Sergeant, Asst. Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leader, Fire Team Leader, Supply Sergeant, and Liaison NCO at staff officer level. Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11BPF7, Airborne Infantry NCO Soldier & Pathfinder. Cross trained into the field of supply (76Y) and administration (71L). Completed PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, and Chemical Branch Officer Basic leadership courses. Current subject matter expert and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear) Commissioned Chemical Branch Officer serving in the U.S. Army.
Organizations
ASIS International. Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA). Academy of Security Educators and Trainers (ASET). American Society of Criminology (ASC). National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). International Tae Kwon Do Union (ITU), among others.
Publications
Published Full length novel, “Ports And Happy Havens,” Co-authored with L.A. Broskey, Copyright. ISBN: 1-4208-1261-0. Full length novel, “The Awful Grace Of God,” Co-authored with L.A. Broskey, Copyright (publishing in progress). Review & Discussion of the case of: Burley v. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Spring 2003. Review & Discussion of the case of: LTV Steel Company, Inc. v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Spring 2003. Review & Discussion of the case of: Rydzewski v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Summer 2002. “Handcuffing Techniques Manual For Loss Prevention Officers.” 2002. Copyright. “Model Emergency Response Team Policy and Member’s Manual.” 1999. Copyright. “Women’s Fundamental Self-Defense Manual.” 1998. Copyright, among others.
Education/Credentials
Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), Widener University School of Law. Harrisburg, PA. Graduate of the Law and Government Institute of Widener University School of Law. Certification in Law & Government. Harrisburg, PA. B.A. Criminal Justice, DeSales University. Center Valley, PA. Certified Legal Assistant & Paralegal, Blackstone Career Institute, Allentown, PA. Licensed Private Detective, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Certified Special & General Law Enforcement Academy Educator/Trainer Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Training And Education Commission (MPOTEC). Certified Law Enforcement Trainer (CLET) Certification, American Society for Law Enforcement Training (ASLET), Frederick, MD. Municipal Police Officer Certificate of Training & Licensure (Act 120), Police Academy Training. PA Certified Act 235 Lethal Weapons Instructor in Academics, Firearms, and Skills training, among others.
Awards and Honors
United States Army Meritorious Service Medal. United States Army Commendation Medal, awarded twice. United States Army Achievement Medal, awarded four times. United States Army Good Conduct Medal. United States Army Expert Infantry Badge. United States Army Parachutist Badge. Government of Honduras Parachutist Badge. United States Army Air-Assault Badge. United States Army Pathfinder Badge. American Police Hall of Fame’s “Legion of Honor Award for Line of Duty Injury.” Venerable Order of The Knights of Michael The Archangel, “Knight Chevalier Award.” American Police Hall of Fame’s “Honor Award.” The John Edgar Hoover Memorial Gold Medal for Distinguished Public Service Award. American Police Hall of Fame “Long and Honorable Service Certificate.” American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens’ “George Washington Second Amendment Gun Rights Award.” American Police Hall of Fame “President’s National Medal of Patriotism.” Widener University School of Law “Dean’s Honor List.” International Tae Kwon Do Union’s (ITU) World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame Award for “Assistant Instructor of the Year,” 2002. “Who’s Who Among American Law Students,” 22nd Edition, 2002 Recognition Award. World Karate Union Hall of Fame, “Instructor Of The Year For Police Control Tactics & Self-Defense,” 2004, among others.
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