“At the state level, criminal investigators most often work through a state investigative or a public safety department, while local level detectives are most often employed by city police departments or the county sheriff's department. Criminal investment work involves studying the facts of the case until a conclusion can be reached or until evidence prevents them from going any further, depending on the magnitude of the case. criminal investment. (SOURCE: http://www.utpb.edu/docs/default-source/utpb-docs/ug-catalog/ug-catalog---cas/criminology-2.pdf?sfvrsn=4) Detectives can work in Many At the levels of the Narcotics Unit of the Criminal or Homicide Unit, the Gang Unit of the Vice Unit as part of an investigative team, detectives may also specialize in a specific area such as research monitoring or evidence analysis, among others. “The path to becoming a criminal investigator almost always begins with a job as a police officer, because the work of a criminal investigator is more complex. Individuals learn the basics of public safety community relations, the investigative process as well as a criminal investigation.” (SOURCE: http://www.detectiveedu.org/careers/ ) Being a detective can be dangerous, just like any law enforcement job, it means risking your life and even spending less time with the family. “Unlike police officers, who are responsible for patrolling, issuing citations and responding to emergencies.