# How can I become a detective?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-become-a-detective/138805>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 26, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-become-a-detective/138805 "2002-11-26T01:36:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aggiej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@aggiej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aggiej)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-become-a-detective/138805/1 "2002-11-26T01:36:16Z")

</div>

i wanna be a big-city detective. how can i get there? do i need to be a patrolman for a certain amount of time? or can i just get a trenhcoat and start detecting? i have a degree in biochem and about 6 years work experience.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aahala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@aahala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aahala)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-become-a-detective/138805/2 "2002-11-26T01:47:39Z")

</div>

If you haven’t a clue, then you can’t become one. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-become-a-detective/138805/3 "2002-11-26T02:55:38Z")

</div>

[Police and Detectives - Occupational Requirements](http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm#nature)

[Have you ever thought about becoming a Los Angeles Police Officer?](http://www.lapdonline.org/get_involved/become_officer/become_officer_main.htm#Police%20Detective)]

> [@](#):
>
> Police Detective
> 
> The class title of a Police Detective within the Police Department is assigned to specialized functions of criminal investigations. At present, there are three Detective ranks within the Police Department: Detective I, II and III. The Detective II and III are supervisory positions and are responsible for training and overseeing the activities of Detectives I and Police Officers. A Detective is often assigned to a specialized division and is responsible for responding to the scenes of crimes, conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations, preparing the required investigative reports, preparing a biopsy of the report, apprehending the suspect, preparing the case for a successful prosecution, and testifying in court. On occasion, a Detective travels to other parts of the country or overseas to extradite suspects wanted in connection with crimes committed in the City of Los Angeles. In this capacity, a Detective maintains liaison with international law enforcement agencies.
> 
> Some of the specialized duties performed by a Detective include: conduct narcotics investigations, perform surveillance and establish and maintain contacts with informants; investigate gang related crimes; respond to and investigate scenes of crimes such as homicide, theft, robbery, auto theft, illegal sex related activities; and, crimes committed by juveniles. In addition, a Detective may perform court liaison functions; act as a Watch Commander; provide electronic equipment expertise to conduct surveillance and polygraph examinations; investigate applicants and businesses who have applied for Police Commission permits to conduct business; investigate child abuse cases; provide expert testimony in court; and, conduct investigations of crimes committed by gangs of foreign origin.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-become-a-detective/138805/4 "2002-11-26T03:36:15Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by aggiej \*  
> \*\*i wanna be a big-city detective. how can i get there? do i need to be a patrolman for a certain amount of time? or can i just get a trenhcoat and start detecting? i have a degree in biochem and about 6 years work experience. \*\*

Police detective or private detective?

I have no clue what the answer is in either case, but it might help to focuse the discussion a little.