How to Become A Detective

By Dr. Jarrod Sadulski  |  11/10/2026

Note: The degree program mentioned in this article is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any country, state, province, or other jurisdiction. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional licensure.

Becoming a detective in law enforcement agencies is a substantial career goal and often takes preparation. It is a common goal among law enforcement professionals and typically requires substantial experience in the criminal justice system prior to the promotion.

Why Road Patrol Officers Make Good Detectives

There is a common saying in police departments that a good road patrol officer is required to be a good detective. This saying is accurate because road patrol officers respond to a wide range of calls for service and build valuable skills that are useful in becoming a detective.

For instance, police officers on road patrol routinely conduct field investigations that help them develop strong investigative skills over time. Road patrol officers are commonly the first to arrive at crime scenes. They have various tasks:

• Securing evidence
• Establishing a perimeter around a crime scene
• Separating and interviewing witnesses and suspects

This experience is highly valuable for police officers aspiring to become detectives because it provides experience in dealing with human psychology.

In addition, they develop strong report writing skills and a knowledge of criminal law and criminal behavior. Depending on the agency and its resources, responding officers may be responsible for conducting the investigation.

They may also go to court to testify. Testifying in court as a police officer requires skills in recollecting events accurately, applying critical thinking skills to the questions asked by an attorney while the officer is in a courtroom, and remaining calm under pressure. A road patrol officer may testify in depositions and may answer prosecutor questions about cases hundreds of times before becoming promoted to detective.

The stakes are higher when an officer becomes a detective and testifies in criminal proceedings. Serving as a detective is more than just solving mysteries. Detectives must present reports, state the facts of a case, and answer questions that are commonly more challenging than what normal road patrol officers experience. For example, homicide detectives present complex cases to the court that may include hundreds of pages of investigative work.

Road patrol helps police officers develop strong problem-solving skills, communication skills, and emotional intelligence while investigating criminal cases. Emotional intelligence for detectives is important for solving crimes, especially when someone communicates with traumatized victims and defiant suspects.

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigations

Detectives are often called to crime scenes. They conduct and record suspect and witness interviews and participate in forensic analysis with crime scene investigators.

Detectives have an important role in moving the case to a higher level of criminal investigation through:

• Gathering evidence
• Using forensic science
• Developing leads in the investigation through reviewing local camera footage
• Establishing timelines involving the crime

Another important aspect of a detective’s job is to examine suspect and witness statements for conflicting or inconsistent information. Detectives engage in follow-up investigations, obtain and execute search warrants, make arrests, collaborate with other law enforcement agencies, and prepare case files for presentation to the prosecutor.

Detective work involves extending an investigation beyond simply identifying and arresting a suspect to developing a complete, legally compliant investigation. This investigation will provide a clearer, deeper understanding of what happened during an incident.

In addition to learning investigative methods in the field, road patrol officers can prepare to become a detective through shadowing seasoned detectives, watching them investigate crimes and manage informants.

The Process to Become A Detective

In most police departments, the hiring process to become a detective typically begins with a job announcement. Detective candidates must first meet a police agency’s minimum qualifications to serve as a detective. Typically, candidates must have completed police academy training to apply for a detective role.

Most police departments will have their requirements outlined in the announcement, such as a certain amount of experience on road patrol. Some law enforcement agencies prefer two to five years of road patrol experience before someone becomes a detective.

Prospective detectives may need to complete a written exam that displays their investigative skills, knowledge of the law, understanding of the justice system, and critical thinking skills. Exams may test for various essential skills that detectives need to possess.

Certain detective positions may require specialized training that applicants have to complete. Criminal investigators in federal law enforcement agencies may also have to go through specialized training to improve their detective skills.

Applicants applying to be a detective may also need to go through several interviews. In addition, prospective detectives may need to successfully complete a scenario-based test where they are evaluated on their attention to detail, decision making, and crime analysis skills.

If a candidate has previous experience and specialized certifications, some law enforcement agencies may consider those qualifications when deciding who to hire. For example, law enforcement agencies may consider skills that a candidate acquired due to prior employment in federal agencies or previous experience in law enforcement or criminal profiling. Applicants with past experience as private detectives, legal investigators, or private investigators may also have an edge during the competitive hiring process.

Interviewing Skills for Detectives

Developing strong interviewing skills before the detective application process can be effective. Another part of the application process may include conducting mock interviews with role players that serve as suspects and victims. The ability to conduct effective interviews is an important part of the job for most detectives.

As a result, having strong interviewing skills is crucial. Effective criminal investigators participate in interviews intended to eventually result in confessions or other useful information.

To get a confession, detectives use various strategies. The first strategy is to become familiar with all of the facts of a case and to learn everything possible about the suspect prior to the interview.

That information is vital because it can help police detectives identify what is factual information and what is not during suspect interviews. Police detectives commonly develop a rapport with the people that they interview.

A second strategy is for detectives to ask questions to which they already know the answers. This tactic helps them to determine if an interviewee is being honest.

Other Factors That Affect Detective Candidates’ Evaluations

There are other factors that may be considered by law enforcement agencies during the detective application process. For example, performance evaluations and any previous disciplinary issues may be considered by the police force.

Education beyond a high school diploma may also be evaluated. For instance, a criminal justice degree demonstrates that a candidate is familiar with laws and the criminal justice system. Supervisory recommendations may also be needed to successfully complete the detective application process.

Detective Training and Specializations

Once someone successfully completes the application process to become a detective, they are likely going to receive specialized training to ensure that they have the skills and the most up-to-date information.

Detective specializations may determine the type of training that a new detective receives. For example, a detective who is going to be assigned financial crimes is likely to receive training in how to investigate fraud. Fraud detectives require specialized training in legal matters surrounding this area.

Similarly, cybercrime detectives are likely to receive substantial training in cyber investigations, identity theft, and computer crimes. Detective specializations can also include homicide or narcotics (which requires working undercover).

It’s also possible to transfer from one area of criminal investigation to another. For example, detectives who handle homicide investigations may later want to switch to a different area such as fraud investigation.

Once in the field, detectives may be assigned to property crimes or people crimes. For example, burglary, vandalism, and theft fall under property crimes. People crimes would include homicides, robbery, and other crimes, as well as missing persons cases.

The Responsibilities and Demands of Detective Work

As long as people commit crimes, we will need detectives to solve them. Serving as a detective can be hard work, but it is satisfying. Detectives bring justice for victims and hold criminals accountable for their crimes.

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at APU

For students who want to improve their knowledge of criminal justice and law enforcement, American Public University part of American Public University System (“APU”) has an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. By enrolling in this degree program, students can take courses in U.S. law enforcement, criminal law, and criminal profiling. Other courses include crime analysis, corrections and incarceration, and the criminal legal process.

APU offers several concentrations for this bachelor’s degree in criminal justice that students may tailor their education to meet their academic and professional goals:

• Entrepreneurship
• Organizational law enforcement leadership
• General
• Maritime law enforcement

Students who are aspiring detectives may want to choose the General concentration. This concentration offers courses such as an introduction to law enforcement and evidence and procedures.

For more information, visit APU’s security and global studies degree program page.