Be a citizen of the country you reside in. For some agencies, you must also reside in the geographic area you want to serve in. Be above a minimum age, such as 18, 21, or 25. Have a clean criminal record. Hold a high school diploma or college degree.
Excellent eyesight Good overall health No major physical or mental issues
Detectives are expected to not use any illegal substances. Many agencies do not allow detectives to have offensive tattoos, or any tattoos on their face. Disciplinary actions on your record may make it difficult or impossible to become a detective.
Some agencies allow you to enter the force directly as a detective, without prior policing experience. However, you may be required to have a college degree in a relevant area, such as criminal justice.
A written test of your law-enforcement knowledge A test of physical skill and stamina A full background check A psychological evaluation
Collecting evidence Interviewing witnesses Observing suspects, locations, and events Obtaining warrants Writing official reports to support or close cases Testifying in court
Consider taking classes in interpersonal communication to further your skills in this area. You can also ask your superiors to host a workshop where experts can come and talk to detectives about how to communicate well.
If you don’t have any specialized skills, consider taking classes to give you an edge.
