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Main Page Making Detective
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Posted by: DotBoxer

Hello! First time post. Just a question from someone not involved in LE. How does a patrol officer become a detective and what are the pro/cons of this rather than staying patrol? I am a military guy and was wondering if it was similar to enlisted/officer.....forgive me for my obvious ignorance in this topic, but that is why I am asking.
Cheers!

Posted by: Delta784

It all depends on the agency. For Boston PD, it's a civil service rank, and there is a formal testing procedure. In other departments, it's a glorified patrol officer position, where you're appointed and serve at the pleasure of the PTB.

BTW....welcome aboard.

Posted by: DotBoxer

Thanks for the hospitality

That was similar to how I thought it was earned. I had read that in the NYPD you can earn your gold shield by just making a big arrest. It sounded like the detective shield was used almost as a commendation. Anyways, thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

It all depends on the agency. For Boston PD, it's a civil service rank, and there is a formal testing procedure. In other departments, it's a glorified patrol officer position, where you're appointed and serve at the pleasure of the PTB.

BTW....welcome aboard.

Posted by: bstrawse

NYPD requires a few years in an undercover assignment prior to interviewing to join the Detective bureau. There is a test and an interview process that is selective.

After a few years of working in some various detective units, a detective earns their gold shield.

One major case is not usually the path to detective....

A good book to learn more about NYPD's detective program is 'The Making of a Detective', pretty good read..

B

Posted by: DotBoxer

Thanks for the reply, I will have to check out that book. I read a book called "Blue Blood" written by a NYPD det. and I remember him mentioning how he wanted to score a big bust so that he could earn his gold shield. Thanks for the info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstrawse

NYPD requires a few years in an undercover assignment prior to interviewing to join the Detective bureau. There is a test and an interview process that is selective.

After a few years of working in some various detective units, a detective earns their gold shield.

One major case is not usually the path to detective....

A good book to learn more about NYPD's detective program is 'The Making of a Detective', pretty good read..

B

Posted by: soxrock75

Quote:

Originally Posted by DotBoxer

Thanks for the reply, I will have to check out that book. I read a book called "Blue Blood" written by a NYPD det. and I remember him mentioning how he wanted to score a big bust so that he could earn his gold shield. Thanks for the info.

Blue Blood was a great book but if you remember, the officer in it, Ed Conlon, had to work in smaller units such as uniform patrol, undercover drug squads etc. before he could move up. I think that the "big bust" can only help your chances of becoming a Detective.

Posted by: no$.10

Quote:

How does a patrol officer become a detective and what are the pro/cons of this rather than staying patrol?

Generally by having a friend in the State House.

Hence the name, "No Dime"

All the rest is happy horseshit.

Posted by: LA Copper

In my department you have to have at least four years on the job before you can try for detective.
Then you have to take a written test. If you pass the written, you have to go for an oral interview in front of several lieutenants where they question you about your knowledge about detective procedures. They also go through your personnel package with you. All of our promotions are pretty much the same as this.

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