This occupation is part of the Protective Service cluster
-
Compatibility
not enough datawhy?
- x Create a Plan
- x Find Training
- x Find Job Openings
About the Job
Conduct investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
It is also Called
- Agent
- Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent
- Burglary Investigator
- City Detective
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Criminal Investigations Division Investigator
- Criminal Investigator
- Deputy Sheriff
- Detective
- Detective Sergeant
What They Do
- Provide testimony as a witness in court.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons.
- Obtain evidence from suspects.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: IE.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Investigative interests, but also prefer Enterprising environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Independence, but also value Working Conditions and Achievement in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $94,730 with most people making between $64,930 and $129,120
Outlook
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 15,400 people in California. It is projected that there will be 15,600 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 20 openings due to growth and about 340 replacement openings for approximately 360 total annual openings.
Industries that Employ this Occupation
Industry breakdown is not available for this occupation
Similar Occupations
- Emergency Management Directors
- Soil and Water Conservationists
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Fire Inspectors
- Fire Investigators
- Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
- Police Patrol Officers
- Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
People who viewed this occupation also viewed:
-
onetPolice Patrol Officers
-
collegeUniversity of Southern California
-
collegeCalifornia State University-Los Angeles
-
majorCriminalistics and Criminal Science
-
onetLawyers
-
onetCriminal Investigators and Special Agents
-
collegeStanford University
-
majorLaw Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
-
onetPrivate Detectives and Investigators
-
collegeLong Beach City College
-
majorCriminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
-
majorCriminal Justice/Police Science