Homicide Detective Question for a novel

[novelwriter2]

If a homicide detective is not doing his/her job very well, who would put pressure on them to improve? Who has the power to fire a homicide detective? Chief of police? District Attorney? Mayor?

This info is for a novel that I am completing; any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.

[Lawson]

As far as I know, at my agency they work at the will of the chief.

[DeltaV]

He could be reassigned, but not fired. You can't just up and fire someone who has a civil service position in most places.

[ngcsubutterbar]

You're also assuming it's a civil service position. Could very well be in a Sheriff's Department where the Sheriff can fire or hire anyone qualified at will. That being said we aren't given enough information. It could be a Sheriff, a Chief of Police, or perhaps a mayor threatening his chief of police. I 'really' dislike it when D/As think they are the bosses though, really really do.


In all likelihood though, if someone legitamately earned a homicide detective spot, they should be doing their job. They should have proved they could do their job to get to that position. (imo)

[Creeker]

You're also assuming it's a civil service position. Could very well be in a Sheriff's Department where the Sheriff can fire or hire anyone qualified at will. That being said we aren't given enough information. It could be a Sheriff, a Chief of Police, or perhaps a mayor threatening his chief of police. I 'really' dislike it when D/As think they are the bosses though, really really do.


...

ditto That. But in my neck of the woods, D/A's (Solicitors) don't even have that option.

Your question would also depend on the manner of Supervision going on. A Micromanager would write the guy up for failing to write an accurate report if he forgot to cross a "t" in a report.

Under the "good ole' Boy" system, the guy could come to work drunk and his behavior been ignored by everyone except his girlfriend who noticed that "Billy Bob" hasn't been sleeping over nearly as much since she started showing at 3 months and instead he has been going home to his wife, Jody Lynn.:D

...

I had an actual, well-illustrated and actual example of "Good Ole' Boy" typed out here, but figured Cop Administrations don't need help making ignorant asses of themselves.:rolleyes:

[ChesCopPodz]

Here they're just like any other officer. Not a supervisory position. As the others stated, it takes a doozy to get fired but our detectives have a sgt, LT, capt and major just like the patrol officers.

If a detective wasn't doing a good job his sgt would be the first to mention it. Getting fired here has to be a recommendation by IAB, approved by the chief, and ultimately approved by the county board of supervisors

[MOCOP]

More than likely a Det. who's not clearing cases gets flopped back into uniform........................................... ...............

Or promoted to Det. Supervisor, in some agencies:rolleyes:

[nemesis1670]

My sergeant could "lean" on me, but not fire me. If there is a definite problem, any possible future punishment goes up the chain of command (sgt to lieutenant to captain to Chief). More likely my partners would have a "meeting" with me first to discuss fixing the problem. Couldn't be fired, but could be re-assigned to patrol.

[novelwriter2]

Thanks so much for your help. This was a crucial point in my novel, Cold Streak. If I didn't have my facts straight, it would've taken anyone who knows better right out of the story. Thanks again.

BTW, the reason I asked about this point is my novel deals with a very competent detective who is facing a case with a supernatural element going on. The case does not fit into a logical or normal explanation. I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm not portraying an inept detective, but a very good one facing an impossible situation.

nemesis1670, MOCOP, ChesCopPodz, Creeker, ngcsubutterbar, DeltaV, and Lawson: For helping me out, I'll be happy to send you guys a free copy of the novel when it is released on Nov 15th. If you're interested, please e-mail me on my website: LewisAleman.com

The story is in the ballpark of The Crow, Edgar Allan Poe, or Steven King. This is the blurb summary:

"Elements of Modern-Suspense-Thriller-Gothic-Horror-Literary-Mainstream
are all rolled into one entertaining novel in the style of Edgar Allan Poe, James O'Barr, H.P. Lovecraft, Frank Miller, and William Faulkner.

Join Laura on her dark journey of revenge as she is chased down by a troubled detective and his lovelorn partner, an inner voice that grants her no peace, and the murderers of her own family. Will she get her justice before time runs out, or will her own vengeance consume all that is left of her in the process?

Enter Laura's world...
Jump into the book and become part of the story. "

Thanks SO much for being kind enough to respond to my question. Be safe.