Detective or Inspector?

[William]

This is something I've been curious about since I started the background process for Manatee County Sheriff. All other agencies I've looked into use detectives or deputies as background investigators. MCSO is the first where I've seen the title/rank of Inspector. So I'm just curious what the difference is between Inspector and Detective?

I searched online, but didn't find much info. Seems like a rare title from what I've seen.

Thanks!

[Kimble]

This is something I've been curious about since I started the background process for Manatee County Sheriff. All other agencies I've looked into use detectives or deputies as background investigators. MCSO is the first where I've seen the title/rank of Inspector. So I'm just curious what the difference is between Inspector and Detective?

I searched online, but didn't find much info. Seems like a rare title from what I've seen.

Thanks!

Criminal investigators can be called any variety of titles, but all still work investigations. These titles include Investigator, Detective, Inspector, Special Agent, etc. It's just a job title and the preference any given agency has for one title over another, no real difference in job duties.

[Switchback]

Along with what ROS is saying, in addition to being just another name for an investigator, some agencies use the Inspector title for specialized positions. I think the NYPD uses them for some high-ranking positions. We (the USMS) uses the title for specialized (promotional) positions, such as Witness Security, Judicial Security, Technical Operations, OCDETF, etc.

[basher52]

Most State & Local agency investagatory units use the title and or combination of Detective or Investigator. I know that San Francisco calls their investigators/detectives INSPECTOR. Here in NYC we have Detectives. those serving as detectives can be Detective Investigators or Detective Specialists.

Detective Specialists can be assigned to non Investigatory position, like community affairs or Emergency Service unit. It is a way to reward a person doing a specialized job, as a Det Inv or Det Spl's salary is about $4k more than a Police Officer. Frankly, the specialist rank degrades the detective rank IMO, but that is the way it is in NYC.

[William]

Thanks for all the great responses! Some really great info there, I appreciate it!

Switch, that is a good point about specific departments/positions within the agency. The Inspectors I've seen are all in what they call Professional Standards Division. The Polygraphist was also an Inspector.

It's good to know a little more about the agency you're applying for and how they operate.

Thanks again everyone!

[phantasm]

wikipedia says inspectors can be detectives, or some type of a supervisor. In the NYPD there are deputy inspectors and inspectors. Its higher than captain, and lower than chief.

Inspector - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Switchback]

You see, if you are an Investigative Operations Division (IOD) employee assigned to a regional fugitive task force it is actually a lateral move for senior Deputy US Marshals in terms of paygrade, but is titled as an Inspector, being permanently locked into investigations. Then, Supervisors on the task forces are Supervisory Inspectors and Chiefs are Chief Inspectors. This is in contrast to Supervisory and Chief Deputy US Marshals in district positions.

Now, to convolute things for you a a bit, I offer the Senior Inspector position. These are specialists of supervisory grade, but not titled as such and may or may not actually have any supervisory roles.

Now, what's funny, as Inspectors, we are still Deputy US Marshals. What sucks is that we earned it and our creds no longer say it. :(

[William]

You see, if you are an Investigative Operations Division (IOD) employee assigned to a regional fugitive task force it is actually a lateral move for senior Deputy US Marshals in terms of paygrade, but is titled as an Inspector, being permanently locked into investigations. Then, Supervisors on the task forces are Supervisory Inspectors and Chiefs are Chief Inspectors. This is in contrast to Supervisory and Chief Deputy US Marshals in district positions.

Now, to convolute things for you a a bit, I offer the Senior Inspector position. These are specialists of supervisory grade, but not titled as such and may or may not actually have any supervisory roles.

Now, what's funny, as Inspectors, we are still Deputy US Marshals. What sucks is that we earned it and our creds no longer say it. :(

I think my head just exploded! (kidding) But seriously, thank you for the explanation and education on that. I find that very interesting since I am really only familiar with the uniformed ranks/positions.

Thanks again!

P.S. I'm finally getting close, academy starts Jan19th!

[DeltaV]

There's a chance they're also civilian employees and not actually sworn officers. I know MCSO also has the rank of detective, so I can't think of a reason to have a different rank for people who just work in personnel. One of our background investigators and both of our polygraph examiners are civilian employees, so it's definitely not unheard of to use unsworn employees in the personnel unit.

[phantasm]

when I was hired, I had a civilian do my background investigation, I think. But I know that they also have POs and detectives doing that as well.