How to Be Special Assignment Detective - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 16, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The rise of sophisticated technology has created a need for highly specialized professionals in the field of law enforcement. This has led to the emergence of the Special Assignment Detective, an individual with a specialized set of skills and knowledge. These detectives are trained to analyze complex evidence and data, conduct interviews, and collect information that can be used to solve difficult cases.

As a result of their invaluable contributions, Special Assignment Detectives have become an essential part of the law enforcement community, helping to crack cases that would otherwise remain unsolved. Their work is not only important to solving crimes, but also provides peace of mind to victims who may otherwise feel helpless in their situation.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Special assignment detectives usually need to have a minimum of a high school diploma to gain consideration for admission into a police academy.
Attend a police academy. All police officers, regardless of their specialization, must attend and complete a police academy training program. These programs are offered through local law enforcement agencies, universities and private training centers.
Obtain a college degree. Although a college degree is not always required to become a special assignment detective, it can make a candidate more competitive when applying for a position. Criminal justice, law enforcement and forensic science are some of the areas of study that may be beneficial to special assignment detectives.
Apply for a position with a law enforcement agency as a patrol officer. Most special assignment detectives start their careers as patrol officers, responding to calls for service and enforcing local and state laws. A prospective special assignment detective should have an excellent record as a patrol officer before attempting to move into a special assignment position.
Become certified in specialized law enforcement areas. Special assignment detectives may be asked to become certified in areas such as firearms, defensive tactics, first aid and CPR, traffic control, crime scene investigation and counterterrorism.
Complete the necessary training to become a special assignment detective. Special assignment detectives may need to complete additional training related to their duties as assigned by their supervisors or department heads. For example, special assignment detectives who are responsible for investigating drug crimes may need to complete a drug enforcement administration (DEA) training program.
Serve as a special assignment detective for at least two years before applying for promotion. Special assignment detectives who demonstrate exceptional skill and performance may be considered for promotion after two years of service.

In order to become a skilled and efficient Special Assignment Detective, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the criminal justice system, effective communication skills, and an aptitude for problem solving. Having a strong grasp of the criminal justice system enables the detective to have an in-depth understanding of the law, enabling them to better identify and investigate suspects. Effective communication skills allow the detective to communicate and collaborate with other law enforcement personnel, as well as other members of the community, providing valuable information and resources.

Finally, problem solving skills help the detective to think critically and apply logic to solve cases, allowing them to effectively utilize available resources to their fullest potential. With the combination of these skills, a Special Assignment Detective can be successful in their duties.

You may want to check Robbery Detective, Financial Crime Detective, and Detective Sergeant for alternative.

Job Description

Identify and investigate criminal suspects.
Gather evidence, analyze data, and testify in court.
Conduct surveillance and undercover operations.
Prepare detailed reports on investigations.
Interview witnesses and suspects.
Consult with prosecutors and other law enforcement personnel.
Analyze crime scenes and document evidence.
Develop strategies to prevent crime and apprehend criminals.
Participate in coordinated operations with other law enforcement agencies.
Monitor and respond to complex cases and new trends in criminal activity.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication skills
Investigative and analytical abilities
Negotiation skills
Ability to work independently and in teams
Proficiency in computer software and applications
Knowledge of criminal laws and procedures
Knowledge of criminal investigation techniques
Knowledge of evidence collection and preservation practices
Knowledge of interviewing techniques and techniques for obtaining confessions
Knowledge of police report writing
Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with other law enforcement personnel, members of the public, and other government agencies
Ability to work under pressure and stress
Attention to detail
Self-discipline and integrity
Physical stamina and agility

Having good problem-solving skills is an essential skill for any Special Assignment Detective. Being able to think analytically and logically to logically assess situations and identify possible solutions can be the difference between solving a case and coming up short. Effective communication and people skills are also important, as they allow the detective to gather information from witnesses and other members of the community.

having strong research skills is beneficial in order to navigate the complexities of a case. A Special Assignment Detective must be proficient in understanding the legal system and its regulations, so that they can make sure that evidence is gathered and presented in a manner that will withstand legal scrutiny. And finally, having organizational skills is key to staying on top of a case and ensuring that all evidence is properly documented and stored for future reference.

All of these skills combined can make a Special Assignment Detective successful in their pursuit of justice.

Background Investigator Detective, Cybercrime Detective, and Detective Inspector are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in special assignment detective work?
What strategies do you use to investigate complex cases?
How would you handle difficult witnesses or suspects?
What techniques do you use to remain objective during an investigation?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and investigative techniques?
Tell me about a case you worked on where you had to use creative problem-solving skills to solve it.
How do you collaborate with other law enforcement officers and agencies?
What do you consider to be your greatest strength in special assignment detective work?
How do you handle working long hours or under pressure?
Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision during an investigation and how you handled it.

Common Tools in Industry

Digital Evidence Forensic Toolkit (DEFT). DEFT is a specialized set of computer forensics tools used to collect, analyze and store digital evidence. (Eg: Analyzing and recovering data from a suspects hard drive)
Network Analysis Tool (NAT). NAT is used to analyze data from networks or systems. It can be used to monitor traffic, identify malicious activity, and detect intrusions. (Eg: Analyzing network traffic to identify suspicious activity)
Mobile Forensics Toolkit. Mobile Forensics Toolkit is a suite of tools used to recover data from mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other internet-enabled devices. (Eg: Recovering deleted text messages from a suspect's phone)
Hashing Tool. Hashing tools are used to generate a unique numerical value for each file or set of data. This value is known as a hash and is used to verify the integrity of the data. (Eg: Comparing the hash values of two files to ensure that they are identical)
Database Analysis Tool. Database Analysis Tools are used to analyze data stored in databases. They can be used to identify trends, uncover patterns, and detect anomalies. (Eg: Analyzing a database of financial transactions to identify suspicious activity)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Chiefs of Police
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
National Sheriffs' Association
Major Cities Chiefs Association
International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association
National Narcotics Officers Associations' Coalition
Major County Sheriffs' Association
National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives
National Drug Enforcement Officers Association
International Association of Women Police

We also have Detective Constable, Drug Detective, and Cold Case Detective jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Cold Case. An unsolved criminal investigation that has been inactive for a long period of time, typically due to lack of evidence or new leads.
Evidence Collection. The process of gathering and preserving physical items or data as evidence in a criminal investigation.
Forensic Analysis. The application of scientific methods and tools to investigate and analyze crime scenes and evidence.
Interrogation. The process of questioning a suspect or witness to obtain information related to a criminal investigation.
Witness Interview. The process of interviewing witnesses to obtain information related to a criminal investigation.
Crime Scene Documentation. The process of recording and documenting the crime scene, including photographs, sketches, and measurements.
Surveillance. The observation and tracking of a person or group suspected of being involved in criminal activity.
Profiling. The analysis of a suspect's lifestyle, behavior, and characteristics in order to establish a potential motive or profile of the perpetrator.