Are detectives considered police officers?

A detective is an assignment or a rank, depending on your agency. Everyone starts off as an uniformed patrol officer. Then after a few years as a patrol officer, the officer may be eligible to test for a promotion to detective or be assigned to the investigations bureau. read more

Detectives (excluding private detectives), who work for a law enforcement agency, are police officers who specialize in the investigation of crime, rather than in being visible deterrents to crime, and first responders to reports of crime. read more

Police in general think of themselves as professionals and with some justification. Yet unless it becomes universal nationally that professional level degrees, licensing, in-service training, etc are required of all sworn officers, it will be considered a service job by most people. read more

Regardless of job duties or location, police officers and detectives at all levels must write reports and keep detailed records that will be needed if they testify in court. Most carry law enforcement tools, such as radios, handcuffs, and guns. read more