How Can I Become a Police Detective with a College Degree?

Working for the police department can be rewarding. As a police officer, you help to serve and protect your community. As a police detective, you gather facts and evidence related to possible crimes. Both officers and detectives must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and they usually attend a training academy before becoming an officer. Requirements can vary from one state to the next, but having a college degree in a related field could help you achieve your goals. 

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

With a degree in criminal justice, you will gain a broad knowledge of the criminal justice system. You should learn about the role of technology in criminal justice and forensics, how law enforcement and the courts work together, how the corrections system works, and about criminal justice theory. Some of the courses you can expect to take when pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice are:

• Criminal Law
• Law Enforcement Operations
• Ethics in Criminal Justice
• Corrections
• Criminal Procedure
• Investigations
• Computer Investigation
• Crime Scene Management
• Criminology
• Organized Crime
• Conflict Management
• Criminal Justice Documentation
• Drugs and Crime
• Juvenile Justice
• Emergency Planning
• Rules of Evidence
• Multi-Cultural Communication for Law Enforcement

Don't Forget About Language and Culture in Policing

When considering a future as a police detective, you should look objectively at the skills that would be useful on the job. One such skill would be to know a second language. According to census data from 2011, the two most common languages spoken in the United States after English are Spanish (37 million speakers) and Chinese (2 million speakers). American Sign Language would also be useful to learn.

What Soft Skills Do I Need in order to be a Great Detective?

Let’s not forget the soft skills that you should develop to become a successful detective.

• Empathy - Empathy is the ability to understand another’s feelings and put yourself in their place. It gives you sensitivity and understanding of what someone is going through.
• Compassion - Once you understand the struggles of others, compassion can help you to put that understanding into action. Having compassion for individuals, whether they are victims, witnesses, or suspects can help you to bring healing to distressing and dangerous situations.
• Active Listening - As an active listener, you will interpret and understand the needs of other people in the conversation. It is an important tool in conflict resolution.
• Nonverbal Communication - The tone of someone’s voice, their gestures, facial expressions, and the emphasis that they put on certain words, can all say far more than the actual words that they use. As a detective, you must be mindful of the message that you are sending by how you say something. By being aware of the cues that you send, you can ease tension.
• Adaptability - Police work is one of the least predictable jobs there is. The police force deals with evolving technologies, changing social climate, and dealing with situations as they manifest themselves. Because of the wide range of situations that can come up, law enforcement must be adaptable and able to think on their feet.
• Critical Thinking and Observation - It’s already been stated that police work is unpredictable. That’s why law enforcement workers need to be able to analyze a situation and come up with a solution quickly. An officer’s keen observation skills can be a matter of life and death for them and those around them.
• Building Trust - Good law enforcement officials are those that communicate with citizens on a regular basis. The community in which an officer works should feel that they can trust their police department.
• Conflict Resolution - Conflict is a large part of a law enforcement officer’s job. For that reason, it is important that they know how to resolve these conflicts peacefully.
• Work-Life Balance - Finally, it is important to find a way to balance your job with your home life. The life of a law enforcement official can be a stressful one. You must find ways to reduce that stress that work for you, without sacrificing your personal life and what’s important to you.

Are you interested in a degree in law enforcement? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, ECPI University offers this course at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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