Police Detectives

Career Summary:

Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons.
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Obtain evidence from suspects.
Provide testimony as a witness in court.
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.
Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Monitor conditions of victims who are unconscious so that arrangements can be made to take statements if consciousness is regained.
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Take photographs from all angles of relevant parts of a crime scene, including entrance and exit routes and streets and intersections.
Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
Note relevant details upon arrival at scene, such as time of day and weather conditions.
Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
Videotape scenes where possible, including collection of evidence, examination of victim at scene, and defendants and witnesses.
Coordinate with outside agencies and serve on interagency task forces to combat specific types of crime.
Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
Notify command of situation and request assistance.
Schedule polygraph tests for consenting parties and record results of test interpretations for presentation with findings.
Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Civil service regulations govern the employment of detectives in Tennessee. Candidates must be citizens of the United States, at least 20 years of age, and must meet the physical and personal qualifications set forth. The physical examination will consist of eye tests, hearing, strength, and agility examinations. Applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Specific training related to the agency of employment may apply. High school students will find courses in history, civics, government, and physical education beneficial. Course work in law enforcement at a community college or university will enhance employment possibilities. Continuing education in the field is desirable due to changing technology.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Response Orientation - The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
First Interest High-Point - Primary-Rank Descriptiveness

Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Achievement-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Ability Utilization - Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.
Achievement - Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.
Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.
Responsibility - Workers on this job make decisions on their own.
Supervision, Human Relations - Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.
Variety - Workers on this job have something different to do every day.
Social Status - Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community.
Co-workers - Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with.
Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
Creativity - Workers on this job try out their own ideas.
Social Service - Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people.
Working Conditions-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Recognition-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Authority - Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others.
Advancement - Workers on this job have opportunities for advancement.
Recognition - Workers on this job receive recognition for the work they do.
Autonomy - Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.

	10%	25%	Median- 50%	75%	90%
TN Annual	$30,800	$35,940	$44,540	$63,580	$85,400
US Annual	$35,600	$45,180	$59,930	$80,010	$95,630

*Some salaries are listed at an hourly rate. Those that include a single dollar amount are considered hourly wage.

Wage and salary data provided by:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
Bureau of Economic Analysis website

For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org

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