If you thrive on challenges, enjoy problem solving and have a strong desire to keep people safe a career as a detective may suit you Show Detectives are accredited police officers who work as Serious and Complex Crime Investigators or Specialist Investigators. They're responsible for managing a range of investigations including those concerning robbery, drugs, domestic violence, public and child protection, company fraud, cybercrime, homicide and counter-terrorism. The term detective is not a rank but a descriptive title, which demonstrates your current role and reflects your skills, knowledge, training and experience in a particular field. Detectives work alongside their uniformed counterparts as equals in pay and rank. Types of workAs a detective you can work in a number of specialist departments:
Further professional training is required when starting to work in any of these specialist units; it is possible to transfer to different units over the course of your career. Not all specialist areas are offered by every police force and there is strong competition for some. ResponsibilitiesAs a detective, you'll need to:
Salary
Income figures are intended as a guide only. Detectives also receive a range of benefits, including:
Working hoursTypically you'll work 40 hours per week, and shifts vary depending on the police force you work for. You may have to work unsocial hours, depending on your type of work and branch. Flexible and part-time hours are available, but depend on the individual police force and your role. What to expect
QualificationsWhile many get into the role by first qualifying as a police officer, it's not essential to do so. Graduates can take an alternative training route through the Police Now National Detective Programme, which over a two-year period develops the key skills and leadership qualities needed for the role. To be eligible you need to have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 at undergraduate level (or non-UK equivalent). The programme starts with the Detective Academy, an intensive 12-week residential training course which includes a mix of classroom and field training. To proceed further, you must successfully pass the National Investigators Exam (NIE). The rest of the training consists of in-force training, immersion training (where you join a force in uniform to practice your core policing skills) and a series of rotations, where you'll undergo accelerated training to learn how to investigate serious and complex crime. You can also take the specialist detective pathway through in-house training with specific police forces. With either pathway, participants will earn the graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice. Entering this career via a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is also possible. Visit Joining the Police to see the different routes into the role and what constabularies are currently hiring apprentices. SkillsYou'll need to have:
Work experienceDue to the nature of the work it can be beneficial to first gain additional life and work experience in a different type of career before joining the police. Your work place maturity and professional credibility will be assessed during the recruitment process. If you have leadership experience you may apply to the police for direct entry at inspector level, which involves a 24-month training programme. Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available. EmployersThe main employers of detectives are the 43 police forces in England and Wales, Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, each with their own recruitment pages. You can look for job vacancies at:
Once you're in a detective post you are free to apply for transfer to other departments in different forces. Overseas positions may be available. The British Transport Police also employs experienced detectives. To apply for jobs you have to be a British Citizen, a citizen of the European Union (EU) or other states in the European Economic Area (EEA), a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Even if you have minor convictions or cautions you may still be able to join the police but there are certain offences and conditions that will make you ineligible; check with your local police force. You'll also have to be physically and mentally fit, with some roles requiring a higher level of fitness. Professional developmentAll police officer training follows the accreditation standards of the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP). This includes the mandatory core programme as well as a range of specialist, supervisory and leadership options. The programme is split into four different levels, according to the complexity of the investigation and the relevant skills required. As a probationer police constable at PIP 1 you'll learn how to handle volume crime. All trainee investigators start on the Initial Crime Investigators Development Programme (ICIDP) at PIP 2. This consists of a six-week investigator training course and is followed by the completion of a professional development portfolio. The portfolio evidences how you meet the required competencies and usually takes around twelve months to complete. Once all your work has been verified, you'll be confirmed as a detective constable. After this, you can progress to PIP 3 and the Senior Investigation Officer Training Programme (SIOPD), qualifying you to lead major investigations including homicide, manslaughter, kidnapping, infanticide or terrorism offences. The final level is PIP 4 and covers strategic management and leadership of major investigations. As part of your ongoing professional training you'll have the opportunity to attend specialist courses and study for relevant qualifications. Career prospectsWorking for the police means you have access to a clearly defined promotion structure. As a detective, you have the opportunity to be promoted up through the following ranks:
Promotion in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is done through performance related exams, work-based assessments and a professional development portfolio. You have the option to move across into a non-detective post, in particular when you've reached the level of assistant chief constable. There are opportunities to transfer to different forces in the UK and overseas. It's also possible to move into other roles within the police, such as teaching new trainee investigators. |