Also called: Professional Standards Investigator, IA Detective
A police detective who investigates complaints and misconduct by other officers.
IA investigators review body-camera video, interview officers and witnesses, and decide whether rules or laws were broken. It's unpopular with some coworkers but vital for public trust.
BLS detectives and criminal investigators median May 2025; range estimated.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 8 years after high school. Police academy plus years as an officer or detective; a bachelor's often required for promotion.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Psychology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS police and detectives, 2025-35.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI now screens body-cam footage for problems; interviews, fairness and discipline decisions stay human.
Classes: Psychology, English composition, Government / Civics, Mock Trial.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.