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Degrees and Schools
Programs in law enforcement or criminal justice are the most common programs enrolled in by those who want to become police detectives or criminal investigators. Programs are available that award associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as certificates. Some degrees are designed for specialties in federal agencies such as homeland security or terrorism. Associate's degree and certificate programs can often be found at community colleges and technical schools. Various universities offer higher level degrees and graduate certificates.
Coursework
Courses in a Law Enforcement program may include topics such as the following :
- philosophy of policing
- criminal process and constitutional issues
- crime prevention
- criminal law
- criminal evidence
- criminal investigation
- juvenile law
- criminal victimization
- forensic science investigation
Courses in a Criminal Justice program may include the following :
- criminology
- theory and philosophy of corrections
- theory and practice of law enforcement
- criminal justice policy
- juvenile justice system
- law and social control
- violent crime and criminal behavior
- criminal court system
Online Classes and Programs
There are numerous online criminal justice and law enforcement programs at the associate's, bachelor's and master's degree levels as well as certificate programs. Some of these programs provide flexibility for working students to complete the program at their own pace. Schools or programs should be accredited by a regional accrediting agency or any agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.
Employment Requirements
Police detectives can move up from the ranks of patrol officers after working in that role for two to five years, depending on the department. They must pass an exam and typically must have some college education in law enforcement or criminal justice, although not necessarily a degree. Federal agencies each have their own requirements for criminal investigator positions but typically require a bachelor's degree and prior relevant experience. All candidates in this field will undergo background checks as well as physical examinations.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The following questions can help a prospective student choose the appropriate law enforcement or criminal justice program:
- Career Goals - Is the program designed for those with a specific career position in mind such as federal investigator or police detective?
- Working Students - Does the program accommodate working students? Are courses offered at times that fit into a working student's schedule?
- Internships - Is an internship a component of the program? Where are internships available? Will the internship experience be relevant to a student's future career goals?
- Degree or Certificate - Does the degree or certificate meet the requirements for the type of job the student is hoping to obtain?
- Graduate Placement - What jobs have past graduates found? What percentage of graduates find jobs as detectives or criminal investigators?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Description
The jobs of police detectives and criminal investigators are depicted on TV as exciting careers where the investigator is always able to put together the evidence to solve the crime. The real people who have these jobs work long, hard, and sometimes tedious hours to do their best to bring criminals to justice. The job is not always as exciting or rewarding as it is depicted on TV, but it is an important job that requires dedication and flexibility. Detectives work for state and local police departments where they may specialize in one area such as narcotics, homicide, juvenile crimes, robbery, internal affairs or traffic accidents. Criminal investigators typically work for a federal agency such as the Secret Service, Homeland Security or FBI in a variety of roles that pertain to national security.
The following are some of the roles detectives and criminal investigators may fill:
- narcotics detective
- homicide detective
- traffic accident detective
- homeland security investigator
- organized crime investigator
- white collar crime investigator
- cybercrime investigator
Responsibilities of a detective or criminal investigator may include the following:
- gathering crime scene evidence
- interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects
- collaborating with other law enforcement agencies
- maintaining records of investigations
- keeping victims informed of progress
- assisting in preparation for court cases
- monitoring suspects
Resources
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences - The ACJS fosters professional and academic activities in the field of criminal justice including education, research and policy analysis.
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association - This organization represents federal law enforcement professionals , advocating for legislation that impact their constituency.
National Association of Police Organizations - NAPO is an advocacy organization for law enforcement officers. They are involved with legislative and legal advocacy, education and political action.
National Law Enforcement Recruiters Association – The NLERA is a human resource organization for law enforcement, corrections, military and private security organizations. They provide recruiter training, networking, diversity initiatives and exchange of leading practices.
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