The Eugene Police Department’s Investigations Section is assigned to investigate serious, violent, and felony crimes that take place in the city. In 2012 there were 430 instances of violent crime, mostly involving aggravated assault and robbery. Detectives serving in the Investigations Section are divided into areas of specialization:
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- Arson
- Property crimes
- Financial crimes
- Forensic evidence and property
- Violent crime and domestic violence
Criminal investigators with the Investigations Section are educated and experienced officers. Candidates interested in learning how to become a detective with the Eugene Police Department can start by ensuring they meet the employment standards.
Becoming a Detective with the Eugene PD Investigations Section
To become a criminal investigator with the Eugene Police Department, candidates will need to possess either one the following qualifications:
- 90 training points and five years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer
- Bachelor’s degree in a field related to law enforcement plus three years of law enforcement experience. Relevant college degree programs include:
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Police Science
- Law Enforcement
- Criminal Justice
Candidates will also need to have:
- CPR Certification
- Ability to possess a valid Oregon driver’s license
- Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Intermediate Certificate
Officially classified as Police Agent, these detective postings are listed on the Eugene jobs webpage when they are vacant.
Candidates may also sign up to be notified when detective jobs become available.
Training Requirements for Detectives with the Eugene PD
One of the requirements for criminal investigator jobs with the Investigations Section is the DPSST Intermediate Certificate. Candidates can find information about course lists as well as training dates and locations on the DPSST’s website. Obtaining the Intermediate Certificate can be accomplished by taking 80 hours of courses distributed as follows:
- 16 hours in Communications
- 40 hours in Advanced Technical Skills
- 16 hours in Leadership
- 8 hours in Risk Management
At the time of taking these courses, candidates will also need to have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of law enforcement experience.
Criminal investigator training requirements also mandate that detectives must obtain a DPSST Advanced Certificate within 36 months of appointment to the Investigations Section. This will require completing additional advanced training courses.
Until the end of October, 2015 the DPSST has accelerated its Intermediate Certification program to allow candidates with only two years of experience to become certified after completing the DPSST Basic Training Course.
Training will cover the fundamentals of conducting criminal investigations as well as advanced detective techniques. Advanced courses will be tailored to a detective’s specific unit assignment within the Investigations Section.
Eugene’s Detectives Make Important Busts
Eugene Police Department criminal investigators have an immeasurable impact on their city. Some of their recent headline-grabbing operations have included:
- Arson detectives recently determined a house fire on Van Buren Street was deliberately set by the owner after he admitted to having emotional hardships in his life.
- Eugene detectives continued their investigation into a series of University of Oregon campus predator attacks on women while having a suspect in custody. The incidents involved a man who asked his victims for directions and then proceeded to touch them inappropriately.
- Eugene detectives recently arrested three members of the Mongols motorcycle gang after they menaced several law enforcement offers who were conducting an investigation.