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KN, p. 329 “What Do Private Investigators and Police Detectives Do?”

- Uncover facts and assess financial and personal information for clients
- Conduct interviews in order to obtain information
- Do computer searches or look at public records to do background checks
- Do surveillance work by taking photographs and/or following a possible suspect to check out their deviation from the normal routine
- Write and present reports to the client
- Work for lawyers, private citizens, and companies
- Ability to look at clues and analyze how they fit (or not) into the investigation
- Communicate with people from all walks of life
- Ability to investigate without breaking the law
- Work in law enforcement until retirement, then apply for the license.
- Work as a paralegal where similar skills are needed to that of an investigator in the office part of the job
- Have a career in the military first, setting up a path to private security and drug/gun related investigations in the private sector.
- Work for an insurance company and move into fraud investigations.
- As cases become more demanding and applications for positions become more competitive, departments in bigger cities require at least a two-year degree in criminal justice. Some departments point to a bachelor’s degree for those interested in reaching rank.
- Obtain the required level of education, then submit the application. If accepted, then police academy training is next.
- After the academy training, working as a patrol officer for several years is required before being allowed to become a police detective. Some departments will send you for additional training if you have the aptitude for detective work. Some departments allow officers who demonstrate an interest/capability, to shadow detectives on the job and will then put talented candidates right to work.
