Crime Analyst

How to Become a Crime Analyst

Crime analysts are often found working in law enforcement agencies or police departments. Crime analysts are responsible for analyzing and interpreting data from police reports and other sources of information. They are able to determine criminal patterns which can help predict future crimes. The findings of a crime analyst are very useful to detectives and patrol officers in both preventing future crime and effectively enforcing the law.

Crime analysts are responsible for a variety of tasks. These might include:

  • Using computer mapping software to track criminal activity.
  • Preparing maps, graphs and reports to determine patterns and trends in crime. These can be used to predict and prevent future crimes.
  • Using statistics to create suspect profiles to hopefully identify suspects for arrest.
  • Deciding where police officers and detectives should focus their efforts.
  • Providing special reports on crime prevention.
  • Keeping officers informed of crime statistics and patterns.

Crime Analyst Education Requirements

Crime analysts are usually required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in an area such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, or sociology. Some police agencies, however, will accept two years of college with two years of technical experience. Knowledge of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and statistical methods are important to become a crime analyst.

Job Outlook for Crime Analysts

Poor economic conditions aside, increasing crime rates will heighten demand for crime analysts. In fact, in an effort to reduce crime rates, some law enforcement agencies are receiving more funding to allow for more crime analyst positions. The International Association of Crime Analysts reports that the demand for Crime Analysts has risen ten-fold in 15 years.

Payscale.com reports 2009 starting salaries of crime analysts to range from $39,548 to $52,447 annually. Salaries increase with education and experience. Crime analysts with more than 20 years of experience in the field can earn up to $81,389.

Sources: “Labor Market Employment Information “, California Employment Development Department, http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/CRIMANLT.HTM, and Payscale.com