There is a significant difference between law enforcement detectives and private investigators. However, keep in mind that sometimes criminal detectives are called investigators because they are investigating a crime. These criminal detectives may work on a variety of cases for law enforcement agencies, such as fraud and missing persons.
More often the job title investigator refers to a private investigator. There is a substantial difference between detectives and private investigators. A detective is employed by a law enforcement agency, such as a city police department. In contrast, a private investigator is hired privately by individuals and private companies to conduct investigations.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between detectives vs. investigators:
- Responsibilities: Detectives enforce the law and maintain peace. They investigate a variety of criminal cases. Private investigators search for information for their clients, which may include conducting surveillance, interviewing people and conducting background checks.
- Legal authority: Detectives carry a badge; they are legally allowed to arrest suspects within the boundaries of the law. Private investigators do not carry a badge, nor do they have the authority to make arrests, and these professionals typically don’t carry weapons.
- Work settings: Detectives work for police departments and other law enforcement agencies. Private investigators may run their own investigation business, or they may work for a private firm.1
A detective who works for a law enforcement agency at the local, state or federal level is typically a plainclothes officer (rather than a uniformed patrol officer) who is responsible for responding to crime scenes. The detective collects evidence, interviews witnesses and investigates suspects in an effort to solve crimes. Detectives also testify in court in support of cases they investigated.
Plainclothes detectives typically handle felony cases. For example, rather than investigating the shoplifting of a $10 item, they investigate more serious crimes, such as murder cases. A detective’s caseload might include the following types of cases:
- Arson
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Robbery
- Homicide
- Abduction
In small police departments, detectives may handle quite a wide spectrum of cases. In larger departments, detectives typically specialize. For example, a detective who primarily investigates murder cases is a homicide detective.
The requirements to become a detective vary by jurisdiction. Some employers prefer detectives to hold a bachelor’s degree, such as a degree in criminal justice, although there are no specific degree requirements. Typically, future officers are required to complete a police officer training academy and then gain on-the-job experience before pursuing a position as a detective.2
