Part I of this listener requested two-part episode explores how someone actually becomes a detective and answers the question of whether someone can bypass patrol and jump straight into investigations. Dave and Steve walk through the journey from the very beginning, starting with the decision to go into law enforcement itself. They talk about why this profession requires calling, purpose, and personal drive rather than money, status, or what people see in movies or television. They also explain why internships and job shadow opportunities with multiple agencies at different times of the year can make a huge difference in understanding if this work is truly for you.

From there, they break down the path toward the academy, including minimum requirements, the application process, oral interviews, written exams, physical testing, polygraphs, psychological evaluations, background investigations, and more. They share stories from their own academy experiences and offer advice for surviving it and succeeding once you get there. The conversation continues into the Field Training Officer phase, where new officers learn to apply everything in the real world on patrol.

Dave and Steve discuss why new officers can’t just jump directly into being detectives right out of the academy, and how the patrol years shape, develop, and prepare officers for investigative work. They share what officers can do on patrol to set themselves apart, earn trust, and begin positioning themselves for detective opportunities.

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