Criminal investigators in Rutland County work out of the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office and are responsible for dealing with cases pertaining to homicide, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, forcible rape, child abuse and possession and distribution of child pornography. They also act as a liaison between several state and federal law enforcement departments, working together to investigate and close long-pending and complex cases.
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With a population of 16,217, Rutland County is the second most populous in the state and has a comparatively low crime rate in comparison to other counties. According to a recent report on crime rates and statistics, in the year 2012, Rutland County recorded a crime rate of 335.3 crimes per 100,000 people.
The breakdown of crimes that year is shown here:
- 3 rapes
- 12 robberies
- 46 assaults
- 208 burglaries
- 842 cases of theft, out of which 20 are auto theft
- 2 cases of arson
Law enforcement agencies and county criminal investigators alike work hand-in-hand to solve cases pertaining to these types of crimes.
Qualifying to Become a Detective with the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office
Becoming a detective in Rutland County is no simple task. Candidates seeking criminal investigator jobs with the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office must first become a deputy.
Deputies advancing in their careers to become detectives are expected to meet a number of eligibility criteria and guidelines set by the department, and only those who meet the criteria are chosen for successive evaluation rounds, and finally, a promotion to detective.
Many criminal investigators in Rutland County have a bachelor’s degree. The following are among the degrees that the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office prefers:
- A Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice
- A Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Science
- A Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Psychology
Certain criminal investigator positions require candidate’s to possess a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice or Forensic Science.
Other criteria that govern the eligibility of an aspiring criminal investigator include being:
- A citizen of the United States of America
- At least 18 years old
- Physically fit
- A resident of Rutland County
- Free from any visible tattoos
- Able to pass a background check
Candidates who have prior felonies are automatically disqualified. Certain misdemeanors may also disqualify a candidate from consideration.
Training for Criminal Investigators in Rutland County
If selected for a criminal investigator position, candidates must undergo a training program organized by the Criminal Justice Training Council. The training will be across various departments, and will generally include the following:
- Basics of Crime Scene Investigation
- Homicide Investigation
- Drug Recognition
- Fingerprint Certification
- Death Investigation