Why do detectives in the US have to start their careers as beat cops?

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I understand why it might have started out this way when police forces were first becoming established, but why does it continue to be this way?

These seem like entirely different skill sets, and surely it’s easier to teach them basic police skills as part of their training rather than having them stay as beat cops for several years first.

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Anonymous 0 Comments

These are good replies, but also – I knew a guy who owned a really high-end hair salon, think $2-300 cuts. He was talking about new hires starting their careers, said “even if she’s the Picasso/Michelangelo of hair, she’s sweeping the floor for 6 weeks”.

I imagine many professions have a sort of “you’re gonna earn your place at the table” thing, they’re going to see your attitude and how you deal with people, bosses, the works. (I’m not discounting the good reasons people have posted, but a sense you’ve paid your dues probably helps with acceptance in a work culture).

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