Police Investigators
Formal Description
“Police investigators and professionals in related investigative occupations follow leads and investigate circumstances relating to crimes committed and obtain information to prevent crimes. They plan and coordinate investigations, collect evidence, interview suspects, victims, witnesses and other stakeholders, conduct surveillance and testify in court. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments. This unit group includes coroners and medical examiners.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Investigator
Cybercrime Investigator
Dark Web Detective
Police Detective
Drug Investigator
Narcotics Detective
Police Investigator
Vice Squad Detective
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- “Completion of secondary school is required.“
- “Several years of experience as a police officers are required.”
- “Completion of a university degree in police investigation is required in Quebec.”
- “Specialized training or certification may be required for certain areas of investigation.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Health, Aging & Society Learn More
The degree enhances understanding of social determinants of health, aiding officers in addressing issues like addiction, homelessness, and mental illness in law enforcement.
Indigenous Studies Learn More
Studying Indigenous Studies encourages critical thinking about historical injustices, promoting an empathetic approach to the field.
Social Psychology Learn More
Understanding how people think, feel, and behave in social contexts is crucial for de-escalating conflicts and building trust, especially in high-stress situations.
Sociology Learn More
A degree in Sociology explores societal functions, social problems, and group behaviour dynamics, aiding officers in understanding crime’s root causes and community structures’ influence on behaviour.
