Police investigators

Strong job outlook

Overview

Police investigators and professionals in related investigative occupations follow leads and investigate circumstances relating to crimes committed and obtain information to prevent crimes. They plan and coordinate investigations, collect evidence, interview suspects, victims, witnesses and other stakeholders, conduct surveillance and testify in court. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments. This unit group includes coroners and medical examiners.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Police investigators

  • Interviews persons in connection with criminal incidents, including victims, witnesses and suspects

  • Exchange information and coordinate activities with other law enforcements agencies

  • Prepare investigation reports and testify in courts concerning criminal investigations

  • Search and collect physical evidence from crimes scenes, such as fingerprints, and attend autopsies

  • Perform surveillance by using investigative technologies

  • Obtain search warrants, conduct searches and arrest suspects

  • May conduct investigation on online networks and computer systems to detect cyber crimes or to recover data.

  • May supervise and coordinate the work of police officers.

Job titles

  • Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) investigator
  • cybercrime investigator
  • detective - police
  • detective sergeant - police
  • drug investigator - police
  • investigator - police

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition
The labour market information for this career is aggregate data for Police investigators and other investigative occupations

Annual salary

Low

$83,424

Median

$116,314

High

$155,085

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

136

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

Police Investigators

  • Completion of secondary school is required.

  • Several years of experience as a police officers are required.

  • Completion of a university degree in police investigation is required in Quebec.

Additional information

  • For police investigators, progression to commissioned police officer positions is possible with additional training and experience.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Work Experience

Work experience required

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