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

It takes a year or two before you really “get” being a cop while you gain experience and learn the ropes. You’re first year is basically one long training and evaluation period.

In smaller agencies the patrol officers do it all, including processing crime scenes, interviews, applying for warrants, and serving warrants. If they do happen to have an investigator they are taking cases that require a ton of followup or time… and only if their case load allows it.

It’s easier to build onto that experience and time than it is to invest time and money into someone off the street that might say “I’m done” the first time they actually get into something bad or be a total lame duck. If they go through the ranks they can pull the people that show the interest that have the needed qualities.

All that being said, there are over 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the US and some DO hire investigators off the street.

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