When selecting criminal investigator training, it is important to consider your career plans, time frame, costs, and long-term career aspirations. A career in criminal investigating can be both very exciting and quite lucrative. However, it can also become quite limiting, with little opportunity for advancement. It is important to explore the different options and devise a plan that meets all your needs.
There are two ways to obtain criminal investigator training: community and specialty colleges or through employer-provided training. The admissions requirements for community and specialty colleges typically include a high school diploma, physical fitness, personality, and psychological tests. Criminal investigator training is provided to employees of law enforcement agencies, military law enforcement, and private investigator firms. This training is typically focused on a specific type of criminal activity.
In order to access this type of training, most institutes and associations require a combination of psychological, academic, and physical tests. In addition to these challenges, almost all training programs require candidates to submit to an illegal drug test. Candidates are expected to be free from all illegal substances and should be prepared to submit to this test throughout their training and employment.
When exploring the options for criminal investigator training, make sure you have a clear idea of what type of crime you are interested in and how you want to investigate it. This decision is important and should be made before selecting the training program, as these programs are very focused. Upon completion of the training, candidates are eligible for employment.
For example, military criminal investigators must be willing to travel to remote regions and investigate a range of crimes committed by military personal. A police officer is connected to a specific geographical region and is responsible for investigating a wide range of crimes committed by the public.
Read the program material to determine how long the training program is and the total cost. Compare the starting salary for the different positions to the cost of the training program, as this may be a helpful comparator. Talk to the admissions office about tuition assistance, such as scholarships, loans, or other programs to defer the costs.
It is important to explore the options for career advancement and the requirements to be considered for other positions before selecting a type of training. Some organizations are more hierarchical than others, providing multiple opportunities for leadership or management positions. Others have a flatter structure, with more people working with greater autonomy but less chance for advancement.
