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Police Identification and Records Officers

General Information

Description

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. State and local government58.87%
  2. Federal government34.54%
  3. Private, for profit5.12%
  4. Self-employed0.78%
  5. Private, not for profit0.50%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Job Outlook

Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 67,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 67,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$86,940

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$136,050
$48,600
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Associate's degree 27%
  • Bachelor's degree 26%
  • Master's degree 21%
  • High school 13%
  • Post-secondary certificate 8%
  • Some college 3%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Clerical
  • Education and Training

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.