First, introduce yourself to the class. Include your major ( HELLO MY NAME IS SOFIA MY MAJOR IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE) and anything you would like to share about yourself. Then address the prompt below.
You are the chief of police of a medium-sized municipal police agency. You have a total of 300 sworn police officers, and of those, 60 are assigned as detectives to various investigative units. First, describe the top three attributes a police officer should possess in order to be an effective investigator. Second, what minimum requirements would you establish before an officer is eligible to apply to become a detective?
Remember there is not one correct answer to these questions. I am interested in your opinions and reasoning.
In responding to your classmates’ postings, discuss whether you agree with their perspective on top attributes and why or why not.
RESPONSE POST 1 SAYER
Hey Class!
I am Sayer pronounced exactly how it looks, like be a do-er nor a say-er. I am 23 and I work full-time as a crisis counselor for the Suicide Hotline and go to school part-time while watching my nephew when my sister needs it. I live in Illinois about 45 minutes from Chicago so hoping to travel more to the city this summer if I can find some time. I am working towards a criminal justice degree as I hope to go into graduate school for clinical mental health counseling. This degree would give me information on the court system in the United States and understand some of my possible client’s situations better. Depending on what focus or specialty I take with my graduate degree, this undergraduate degree would help me provide information and resources with understanding.
To be an effective investigator, a police officer should have the following top three attributes: 1. Analytical Skills: Investigators need strong analytical skills to assess complex situations, analyze evidence, and connect pieces of information to quickly and accurately solve cases. These skills are crucial in understanding crime patterns, identifying suspects, and building a solid case for the court to review. 2. Attention to Detail: Detectives must be able to review case files, witness statements, and forensic reports to ensure no detail goes unnoticed. 3. Effective Communication: Good communication skills are vital for investigators to interact with witnesses, victims, suspects, and other law enforcement professionals. Detectives need to conduct interviews, write reports, and testify in court, requiring clear and concise communication abilities.
The minimum requirements to be even eligible as a detective in my police agency: 1. Experience: Officers should have a certain number of years of experience as a patrol officer before being eligible to apply for the detective position. This experience would help in the development of a solid understanding of police procedures, laws, and community dynamics. 2.Training: Completion of specialized training courses in investigative techniques, evidence collection, and case management should be a prerequisite for applying to become a detective. This training will equip officers with necessary skills to handle complex investigations. 3. Performance: Officers seeking to become detectives should have a proven record of successful case resolutions, attention to detail, and analytical thinking. High performance as a patrol officer demonstrates the ability to handle the responsibilities of an investigator. Possessing analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial attributes for effective detectives in my police agency. Establishing minimum requirements such as experience, training, and performance can ensure that officers are well-prepared to take on the responsibilities of a detective within a municipal police agency.
RESPONSE POST 2 NICOLE
My name is Nicole, and I am from El Paso, Texas. I am working on my bachelor’s degree in digital photography. My goal is to put that to good use by pursuing a career in forensic photography. I was in the medical field for 11 years and grew tired of many aspects of the environment, so I took a few years off and finally decided to return to school and here I am! I have 11 months to go and I will be off on my new adventure. The top three attributes a police officer should possess to be an effective investigator may include attention to detail and good observation skills these two attributes work together because attention to detail gives the officer the ability to accomplish tasks thoroughly and accurately while having strong observation skills allows them to recognize small details which in turn could help them build a stronger case. Another valuable attribute an officer should possess to be an effective investigator is critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills could help the investigator make decisions about suspicious behavior and potentially tell whether the suspect is lying it can also help him or her identify potential witnesses evaluate their credibility and determine the relevance of their statements. Lastly to be a good investigator having good decision-making ability is a very strong attribute to ensure that the choices being made are justifiable and effective. This is a large part of ethics because sometimes bias can blur and impact decision-making. Although there are more attributes that make an effective investigator these in my opinion are at the top of the list.
It seems to me that most if not all investigators are promoted from within with the expectation that the candidate passes the screening process conducted by the agency. The minimum requirements that I would establish for eligibility to apply to become a detective may include an education in criminal justice no less than an associate’s degree with a program for new detectives that would include the shadowing of a seasoned investigator. I would still employ background checks, drug screenings, physicals, and panel interviews. I would possibly open the positions to those who have an education in criminal justice to widen the pool of candidates to help fill the positions that could otherwise remain unfilled due to a lack of officers.
