Career:
Police Detective
Job Description: Conduct investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
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What Police Detectives do:
- Provide testimony as a witness in court.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
- Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Obtain evidence from suspects.
- Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
- Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
- Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Notify command of situation and request assistance.
- Coordinate with outside agencies and serve on interagency task forces to combat specific types of crime.
- Note relevant details upon arrival at scene, such as time of day and weather conditions.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
- Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons.
- Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
- Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Take photographs from all angles of relevant parts of a crime scene, including entrance and exit routes and streets and intersections.
- Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
- Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Videotape scenes where possible, including collection of evidence, examination of victim at scene, and defendants and witnesses.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.
- Monitor conditions of victims who are unconscious so that arrangements can be made to take statements if consciousness is regained.
- Schedule polygraph tests for consenting parties and record results of test interpretations for presentation with findings.
What work activities does a Police Detective do?
| Importance | Activities | |
|---|---|---|
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
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Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
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Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
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