Career As A Criminal Investigator

Brionne Young

ENGL 3107

Dr. H. Williams

02/05/2018

Career as a Criminal Investigator

Becoming a criminal investigator requires determination, passion, and dedication for ones’ work. My desire is to become a criminal investigator. I have been working towards this goal for about four years now. I began my quest at Middle Tennessee State University and will be completing it at Tennessee State University. I do recognize that obtaining a bachelor’s degree is not the only prerequisite for becoming a criminal investigator. The pathway to this position will take years of hard work, dedication, and the willingness to learn.

Not all departments necessarily require a college degree to become a criminal investigator, but it will be helpful if you wish

This can include police officer, patrol officer, sheriff’s office, and/or corrections officer. Once hired into one of these positions, the candidate will undergo a background check, drug testing, and a battery of mental and physical assessments. Another condition to becoming a police or patrol officer is successfully completing the police academy. This is usually required within a certain timeframe after becoming an officer. Being a police officer is a very stressful and demanding career, but in order to meet the ultimate goal of becoming a criminal investigator the candidate must have both the will and determination to push forward. After receiving adequate experience, you must then apply for a criminal investigator position. Do not become discouraged if you do not get the position on the first try. Depending on the size of the department, it may take years before a position becomes available, so determining is the

The average salary in 2017 was between $37,000 and $110,000 per year. The median salary was $58,000 per year. Cities such as New York City, Manhattan, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C. are some of the cities where salaries can be a bit higher than average. The reasoning behind this is the population in these areas are higher which makes the crime rates in these areas higher. Also, depending on the job location, a criminal investigator can expect to work 40 hours a week depending on whether the department has three shifts. A department without three shifts could require the criminal investigator be on call 24 hours per day. You must be willing to work various shifts, including weekends, holidays and midnights. Overtime can be required along with some spur of the moment travel.

Regardless of the hoops I may have to jump through, I still feel that this is the career choice for me. My strengths, which include attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, and taking constructive criticism, do outweigh my weaknesses of being more of an introvert. Although my shyness may be a hinderance in the beginning; once I get to know a person, you would not be able to tell that I was shy person. I am determined and dedicated to this challenge. I will not let anything stand in my way of obtaining this