What does it take to become a homicide detective?

Would like to become a homicide detective?

• now i am very interested in being a homicide detective, i am looking at universities to go to next year and was wondering where i could attend and what i could study for me to become ...show more

• Answer:

  If you want to become a police detective, you must first become a police officer. Requirements to become a police officer vary depending on the police department. How you become a detective also depends on the department. Most departments require officers to work as patrol officers for at least 2 (usually more) years before being eligible to become detectives. If you want to become a detective, become the best police officer that you can. Maintain an excellent record and reputation as an officer. Becoming a detective can be a very competitive process. Many officers that want to become detectives won't be able to. Some police departments don't require officers or detectives to have college degrees. However, it is great that you are planning on going to college. Getting a degree is one of the best things that you can do. Many departments require or prefer applicants to have college. Having a degree could help you get hired with some departments. Some departments pay their officers more if they have a degree. Having a degree could also help you get promoted during your career. Choose a major that interests you, that is marketable, and that could be useful for police work. There are many good majors for police officers and people that want to become police officers. Accounting, communications, computer science, a foreign language, law, and psychology are some examples. When choosing a major, consider what you might want to do if you decide not to become a police officer or if you can't become a police officer. Whatever major you choose, make the most of your time in college. Get the highest grade point average that you can, participate in a couple extracurricular activities, get a good internship, do some regular volunteer work, don't do anything illegal, and maintain a good reputation.