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lordmanji

04-12-11, 12:41 PM

If a detective were to move to a new city, could he apply for a job at the local police department as a detective?

Citicop

04-12-11, 12:51 PM

Probably not.

He would likely start over in patrol for a few years until he was eligible for promotion or transfer.

-Citicop.

retdetsgt

04-12-11, 01:23 PM

Maybe going from one little bitty department to another they can, but not in most instances. A detective in the town I live in became a detective with the S.O. when a new sheriff was elected, but that's rare.

In my old department, it's a civil service promotional exam that can only be taken after three years experience in patrol.

cntryboy0531

04-13-11, 01:30 AM

Same at mine. You start in patrol, and put in for the Detective job (not a promotion at my department) when one comes open that you have the time on for. Doesn't matter where you came from, you start in patrol.

Kimble

04-13-11, 04:22 AM

I knew of a detective with a mid-sized department who got hired by a large urban PD. He went to patrol, like all other new hires, and after a year got selected for an investigative assignment due to his past experience. He still had to start back in patrol with the new agency.

lordmanji

04-13-11, 10:19 AM

thanks everyone. looks like the answers clear: gotta start back at patrol if a detective changes departments.