Becoming a homicide detective is not an easy task, primarily if you are not born into the profession. Traditionally, becoming a homicide detective meant starting out as a police officer and gradually working your way up the ranks over time. But in recent times, traditional paths have been challenged. For those who have aspired to become detectives but do not want to follow the beaten path of becoming a cop first, there are paths that can be taken which can lead directly to becoming a successful homicide detective.
A Homicide Detective’s Role
Before we proceed on how to become a homicide detective without being a cop, it is vital you get familiar with what they do and their role in society. To put it simply, homicide detectives investigate crimes where death was caused by unnatural means – murder or manslaughter cases mainly. Being part of this elite unit has its perks like allowing you indescribable access to forensic tools & resources, helping people when justice has been served by finding perpetrators responsible for heinous acts against their loved ones.
Prerequisites& Qualification
Firstly note that irrespective of whichever path one decides (direct hire without firearms training or traditional route as patrol officer) all scrutiny faced during application process remains similar.
– Age requirement: To meet standards laid down this line of work candidates should at least above 21 years old
– Educational requirements: Although getting education isn’t mandatory some minimum requirements are essential such as GED/High school diploma.
– **Higher Education** – Alternatively attending university level classes majoring in criminal justice or forensics science may increase chances of employment related opportunities after graduation albeit minimal
-Troublesome personal background checks showing violent or questionable behavior while also being needfully drug-free for employment purposes must always be maintained
*Note-having other experiences volunteering with community organizations related towards social services such as victim care units would additionally strengthen candidate’s suitability towards acquiring job
Steps Towards The Goal
Becoming a homicide detective without serving time as a patrol officer comes with its unique route. The journey requires practical experience, a relentless focus on the goal, and an individual decision towards achieving set objectives.
There are several suggested ways to achieve this rare opportunity:
– Internship Programs:Many Police departments nationwide have internship programs aimed towards providing qualified and comprehensive knowledge of police work culture while also invariably offering mentorship opportunities for selected candidates.
Programs come in varied models such as procedural analysis in crime scene evidence handling or ‘Ride-along’ system which affords aspiring detectives first-hand experiential learning when going about their day-to-day responsibilities.While there isn’t necessarily any guarantee that an opening will be available at the point of completion; taking part within these training exercises increases exposure to procedure-related tasks related to criminal investigation duties
– Private Investigation Work – Though not exactly being counted traditionally as law enforcement services, private investigation firms are known for solving crimes outside agencies’ jurisdictional authority. Private investigators require possessing same investigative skills & tools used by regular police,hence working towards understanding typical procedures is no miss.
Besides having necessary credentials earned through licensed state agency certifications, having experienced developed relationships with banks other potential business conglomerates exponentially has long been shown successful lead generation channels into prospective jobs since private coverages aren’t limited like traditional cop roles.
– Applying Directly– Just like traditional routes after gaining requisite professional experience by curating educational/procedural know-how from reputable sources,the hope is applying directly without extensive backgrounds well beyond cause of concern restrictions.In reality though remote odds suggest willingness to take latest recruit – most agency job applications ask candidates attaining basic certification standards (such firearms proficiency) essential skills needed in fieldwork.
Conclusion
Even without taking up the path traveled down by many detectives today,this article has identified three alternate paths that may provide reliable alternatives whilst also charting ways accomplishing goals enroute becoming that coveted dream career of a homicide detective without being a cop. The common theme amongst all these pathways must be having exceptional passion and dedication to work toward becoming proficient in procedures pertinent to this line of duty- both inside & out the job field also going ahead also never turning an eye from requisite basic credentials.