What do detectives do?  

Detectives in Arizona work for the police or other agencies to help solve crimes. They investigate things like thefts, assaults, or bigger cases. Detectives interview people who saw the crime or might know something, gather evidence, examine videos or records, and try to figure out who committed the crime. They also write reports about what they found. 

They often work behind the scenes instead of patrolling. They check up on leads, ask questions, and sometimes work with other departments or lawyers to gather enough evidence to bring a case to court. 

What does a typical day look like in this job? 

A detective’s work can look very different from one day to the next. They might start the day by reviewing a case that just came in. They could visit a crime scene or meet witnesses or victims to ask them questions. Then, they spend time looking at evidence: watching video footage, checking records, or writing reports. They often meet with prosecutors or colleagues to plan the next steps for a case. In some jobs, detectives are “on-call” or respond to major crimes in addition to regular work. 

Later, they may write up what they found, prepare paperwork for search warrants, or go to court or local offices to review case files. On other days, they check for new leads, re-interview people, or coordinate with other investigation units. It’s a mix of fieldwork, desk work, and working with others.

What skills or abilities are important for this job? 

Detectives need to be good listeners because they talk to many different people, including victims, witnesses, and suspects. They must ask good questions and remember details, while paying close attention to small clues, like evidence, videos, or patterns. Writing is also important, because their reports are used in court and by other police officers. 

They also need to be able to stay calm, because sometimes cases can be sad or stressful. They must be honest, trustworthy, and careful to follow the rules so evidence is reliable. Problem-solving and thinking carefully about what the clues mean is an important part too. 

What kind of education, certification, or training is required? 

In Arizona, detectives usually start as a police officer first. For example, many departments expect someone to have worked as an officer for some years before becoming a detective. They also need to be certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST). That means finishing a police academy or another approved training program and staying certified. Joining the police academy usually requires being a U.S. citizen, being at least 21 years old, having either a high school diploma or GED, having a valid driver’s license, passing background checks, and passing a variety of tests, including physical, written, polygraph, medical, and psychological. Requirements can vary slightly by specific departments. 

Some departments ask for a certain level of education or college credits, or special investigative training after being a patrol officer. They may also take extra classes in interviewing, forensic work, or special investigations. Specific requirements can usually be found on police department websites. 

What is the most challenging part about this job? 

The job can be very stressful, because detectives often work on serious crimes which can be upsetting or sad. They may see people hurt, or work on cases that are complicated or take a long time to solve. Sometimes, their cases might not have clear answers, or evidence might be tricky to work through. 

Also, the schedule can be hard. Detectives might need to work nights, weekends, or respond quickly if something sudden happens. They must keep careful records for long investigations and sometimes testify in court. They have to balance many cases at once and keep investigating even when things slow down. 

What is the average salary in Arizona? 

To view recent information regarding salaries and job outlook, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.