I want to know how to become one who investigates crime but also goes out into the field to do the arrest. What career should I pursue?

Hey Michael

I don't believe there are any specific classes to take while in high school. As for college, I suggest a degree in Criminal Justice or something similar. Most of the larger departments require a 4 year bachelor's degree, but it doesn't matter what the degree is in. Just so you have one.

When you get hired, most departments will send you to a police academy. That is where you will acquire most of your knowledge. Another option, you could attend a police academy on your own, but you would have to pay for it and they aren't cheap.

Once you are hired, your first assignment will be in Patrol. You will spend a year or two there gaining much needed experience. To investigate crimes and make arrests, you will want to go into Criminal Investigations. While in Patrol, you will make plenty of arrests, and on occasion, investigate an offense. But don't think being in Patrol is a bad thing. Some guys like it so much they don't want to do anything else. Some of the best times I've had was while I was in Patrol.

One thing you can do while in high school, is see if your local PD has an Explorer program. If you get into that, you will learn a lot about who does what and how a PD functions. Good luck with your education and career.

Law enforcement are the primary organization with arrest powers.   However, I would challenge you that the majority of investigations don't end up in an arrest.  So if your interest is in investigations, there are a wide variety of areas in that career choice both in the public and private sector.  I would review investigator / investigations jobs on LinkedIn or other job boards to see if there is anything that you are passionate about.

FBI and/or Police officer