Each year the Spokane Police Department responds to over one thousand calls regarding incidents of violent crime, which includes around a dozen murders annually. In the event of a serious crime, the police department will assign one of its experienced detectives to the case to ensure a thorough investigation.
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Detective jobs with the Spokane Police Department’s Investigations Division are found in several specialized units:
- Major Crimes Unit
- Property Crimes Unit
- Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team
- Domestic Violence Detective Division
- Special Victims Unit
The Path to Become a Detective with the Spokane Police Department
To become a detective with the Spokane Police Department’s Investigations Division, officers will need to start by gaining experience as an entry-level police officer. To be eligible, prospective officers will need to meet several requirements, not least of which involves approximately a year of college education.
All entry-level applicants need to have a college education of at least 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits in any subject area.
Going further beyond the minimum requirements with a college education in the form of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree can open additional career opportunities and augment an applicant’s qualifications. Fields of study that will ensure the development of a strong academic background in the field of investigations include:
- Law Enforcement
- Police Science
- Law
- Criminal Justice
- Forensic Science
The civil service test to become a detective is offered once every two years if there is a demand within the department. When the test is offered, police officers are selected based on their qualifications, experience, and seniority.
Detective Training Requirements with the Spokane Police Department
Foundational training in the field of investigations is laid during a new recruit’s initial training at the Spokane Police Academy. As officers advance further in their careers towards criminal investigator jobs with the Investigations Division, they will have the opportunity to pursue related in-service training. Upon assignment to the Investigations Division, officers will receive added criminal investigator training in their particular area of specialization, such as:
- Conducting undercover narcotics investigations
- Investigating homicides and suspicious deaths
- Interviewing victims of domestic violence
- White collar crime investigations
- Property crime and burglary investigations
- Investigating crimes against the mentally handicapped, seniors, and children
Spokane PD Performs Important Investigations
Detectives working on units in the Spokane Police Department’s Investigations Division have had some notable success stories recently, including the following examples:
- Detectives arrested a suspect in a recent shooting that occurred on East Grace street that was apparently the result of a physical altercation that got out of hand. Detectives revealed that the suspect is a convicted felon and known gang member.
- After conducting an investigation into the robbery of a pizza delivery driver that was caught on video surveillance cameras, detectives recently announced the arrest of a 19-year-old man on East Carlisle.
- Police detectives recently used a confidential informant to develop a criminal case against a man living on East Mallon. The suspect was arrested in the culmination of the operation on charges relating to the sale of methamphetamine.