What Police and Detectives Do
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14D91NPvMz8
Work Environment
Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers and transit and railroad police have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Working around the clock in shifts is common.
How to Become a Police Officer or Detective
Education requirements range from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually at least 21 years old, and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Pay
The median annual wage for police and detectives was $65,170 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. The continued need for public safety is expected to lead to new openings for officers, although demand may vary by location.
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
Duties
Police officers, detectives, and criminal investigators typically do the following:
- Respond to emergency and nonemergency calls
- Patrol assigned areas
- Conduct traffic stops and issue citations
- Search for vehicle records and warrants using computers in the field
- Obtain warrants and arrest suspects
- Collect and secure evidence from crime scenes
- Observe the activities of suspects
- Write detailed reports and fill out forms
- Prepare cases and testify in court
Job duties differ by employer and function, but all police and detectives write reports and keep detailed records that will be needed if they testify in court. Most carry law enforcement tools, such as radios, handcuffs, and guns.
The following are examples of types of police and detectives:
Detectives and criminal investigators are uniformed or plainclothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. They conduct interviews, examine records, observe the activities of suspects, and participate in raids and arrests. Detectives usually specialize in investigating one type of crime, such as homicide or fraud. Detectives are typically assigned cases on a rotating basis and work on them until an arrest and trial are completed or until the case is dropped.
Fish and game wardens enforce fishing, hunting, and boating laws. They patrol fishing and hunting areas, conduct search and rescue operations, investigate complaints and accidents, and educate the public about laws pertaining to the outdoors. Federal fish and game wardens are often referred to as Federal Wildlife Officers.
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers are the most common type of police and detectives, and have general law enforcement duties. They wear uniforms that allow the public to easily recognize them as police officers. They have regular patrols and also respond to emergency and nonemergency calls. During patrols, officers look for signs of criminal activity and may conduct searches and arrest suspected criminals.
Some police officers work only on a specific type of crime, such as narcotics. Officers, especially those working in large departments, may work in special units, such as horseback, motorcycle, canine corps, and special weapons and tactics (SWAT). Typically, officers must work as patrol officers for a certain number of years before they may be appointed to a special unit.
Transit and railroad police patrol railroad yards and transit stations. They protect property, employees, and passengers from crimes such as thefts and robberies. They remove trespassers from railroad and transit properties and check IDs of people who try to enter secure areas.
Police and detectives held about 813,500 jobs in 2019. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up police and detectives was distributed as follows:
| Police and sheriff’s patrol officers | 688,400 |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 113,500 |
| Fish and game wardens | 7,200 |
| Transit and railroad police | 4,500 |
The largest employers of police and detectives were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 77% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 12 |
| Federal government | 7 |
Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Officers must be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift. Officers regularly work at crime and accident scenes and encounter suffering and the results of violence. Although a career in law enforcement may be stressful, many officers find it rewarding to help members of their communities.
Some federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Secret Service, require extensive travel, often on short notice. These agents may relocate a number of times over the course of their careers. Some special agents, such as U.S. Border Patrol agents, may work outdoors in rugged terrain and in all kinds of weather.
Injuries and Illnesses
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers and transit and railroad police have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may face physical injuries during conflicts with criminals and other high-risk situations.
Work Schedules
Police and detectives usually work full time. Paid overtime is common, and shift work is necessary because the public must be protected at all times.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of police and detectives.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Correctional Officers and Bailiffs |
Correctional officers oversee those who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $45,300 | |
|
|
EMTs and Paramedics |
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $35,400 |
Firefighters |
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies where life, property, or the environment is at risk. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $50,850 | |
Private Detectives and Investigators |
Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $50,510 | |
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists |
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. |
Bachelor’s degree | $54,290 | |
Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers |
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property from illegal activity. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $29,710 | |
Emergency Management Directors |
Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies. |
Bachelor’s degree | $74,590 | |
|
|
Forensic Science Technicians |
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. |
Bachelor’s degree | $59,150 |
Fire Inspectors |
Fire inspectors examine buildings in order to detect fire hazards and ensure that federal, state, and local fire codes are met. |
See How to Become One | $60,230 |
For more information about federal law enforcement, visit
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
CareerOneStop
For career videos on police and detectives, visit
O*NET
Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Immigration and Customs Inspectors
Police Identification and Records Officers
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm (visited ).
