A crime analyst is a specialized position within law enforcement that use analytical skills to research and help reduce crime in a specific area. In this post, we will explore what a crime analyst is, the salary of a financial crime analyst, its certificate, and how to become a crime analyst.
What is a Crime Analyst?
A crime analyst investigates crimes in order to find trends and patterns. They may concentrate on one of three areas: tactical (analyzing high-level crimes such as murders), strategic (the deployment of law enforcement agents), or administrative (the administration of law enforcement officers) (budgetary recommendations on law enforcement resources).
Crime analysts may work for criminal justice groups, police departments, law enforcement agencies, or the government.
What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
Because crime analysts evaluate data from police reports, they frequently employ mapping tools to uncover trends or suspects and offenders. Crime analysts may collect information from local sources as well as national and international contacts for comparison purposes.
Crime analysts use this information to provide insights into crime trends and to advise law enforcement organizations on how to increase efficiency and make the most use of their manpower and resources. Reports, images, visual content, and presentations are created by crime analysts. Depending on their profession or focus, crime analysts may assist agencies in identifying areas that require greater attention or coverage, as well as determining equipment and training requirements.
Crime analysts use many sorts of data for various purposes. They analyze strategic data to provide suggestions regarding where and when law enforcement and other employees should be stationed. They use tactical data to offer suggestions on how to best allocate resources to address pressing concerns. Administrative data is used to categorize leads and inbound case information, send information to high-level departments, respond to queries, and assess specific situations.
Crime Analyst Salary
A crime analyst’s annual basic salary in the United States is $71,000. The salary of a crime analyst varies depending on experience, geographical region, and other criteria.
- Median Annual Salary: More than $71,000 ($34.13/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $47,000 ($22.6/hour)
- Bottom 10% Annual Salary: More than $34,000 ($16.35/hour)
Financial Crime Analyst Salary
The average annual salary for a Financial Crime Analyst in the United States is $71,859 as of July 14, 2022. If you require a quick Financial Crime Analyst salary calculation, that works out to about $34.55 per hour. This equates to $1,382 each week or $5,988 per month.
While ZipRecruiter reports Financial Crime Analyst annual salaries ranging from $145,000 to $29,500. The majority of Financial Crime Analyst salaries in the United States currently vary from $46,000 (25th percentile) to $89,500 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) earning $109,000 per year. The average salary range for a Financial Crime Analyst ranges significantly (by up to $43,500), implying that there may be several prospects for promotion and increased pay dependent on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Crime Analyst Certificate
The Crime Analyst Certificate involves the completion of five graduate-level courses: Criminal Justice Research Methods, Criminal Justice Statistics, Qualitative Research Methods, Law Enforcement Analysis, and Intelligence Writing and Briefing.
Furthermore, tactical, criminal, administrative, intelligence, and strategic criminal analysis are some of the specifications that crime analysts can pursue.
Despite the fact that most crime analysts have a bachelor’s degree or above, prospective professionals can enter this area by finishing a certificate program. Work experience in law enforcement is often equally as important as schooling, therefore prospective crime analysts should seek volunteer or paid work to boost their employability.
Crime analyst certification is optional but highly recommended. A Crime Analyst certificate shows companies that you have a high level of proficiency in the field and can assist established professionals improve in their careers.
Upon completion of a program, some programs, such as those approved by the California Department of Justice, award certification. Other certifications require testing to get.
The two most common Crime Analyst certifications obtained through testing are the Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA) from the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) and the Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA) from the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA).
Applicants for the CLEA certification must pass an exam with a score of 75% or above.
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for CICA certification:
- Be active IALEIA members in good standing.
- Be in possession of a certificate of completion from a qualifying intelligence course (or current certification as a Basic Analyst)
- Have a full-time job in criminal intelligence or analysis.
- Have a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience, an associate degree and five years, or no degree, and seven years of experience.
- Submit a full application as well as a copy of the official job description.
- Pass an exam with a minimum grade of 70%
Education, Training & Certification
Most firms prefer candidates with a college degree and, preferably, corresponding work experience.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, or a related discipline such as psychology or sociology is usually required for aspiring crime analysts. A focus on classes like probability and statistics can be beneficial.
Working knowledge
Some agencies enable candidates to substitute relevant job experience for some or all of the college education requirements. Although gaining experience without a degree can be tough, internships and volunteer work can help applicants develop connections in the sector and begin on a good career path.
Police academy education
Criminal analysts may be sworn law enforcement officers or supervisors in some instances. As they are specialty professions, police academy training, several years of service, and maybe promotion will be required.
Crime Analyst Competencies and Skills
Analysts must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as excellent writing skills. They must be able to locate and comprehend data, as well as repackage and present it in a way that others can understand. Furthermore, they should be enthusiastic about research and have a genuine desire to help and support law enforcement in the prevention and resolution of crimes.
In addition to the required education, experience, and training, crime analysts who possess the following additional talents and competencies will have an advantage over other candidates:
- Effective communication: Effective communication with City staff, the general public, and others contacted in the course of work.
- Reliable: Ensure the secrecy of sensitive information and data.
- Time-management abilities: Prioritize tasks effectively; work under pressure within time limits.
- Team player: Establish and maintain strong working connections with individuals who come into contact with you during the course of your work.
- Learning ability: Understand and apply uniform crime reporting processes and requirements; gain an understanding of law enforcement needs, strategies, methodologies, and legal requirements.
- Reporting ability: Prepare accurate, effective, and timely reports, communications, and other written materials.
- Principles application: Learn and implement police and public administration principles and practices.
Job Prospects
Crime analysis is expanding as departments look for ways to save money by civilianizing roles and finding efficiency. Because analysts may help agencies better utilize their manpower while also finding ways to reduce crime, the analyst’s function is proving useful to the law enforcement profession. This indicates that there will most certainly be plenty of opportunities to work as a crime analyst in the future.
How to Become a Crime Analyst?
Here are some measures to take to become a crime analyst:
#1. Obtain a college diploma
The initial step toward becoming a crime analyst is to obtain a bachelor’s degree certificate. It is critical to select a field of study that will allow you to build applicable abilities. Consider taking courses on topics such as research methodologies, probability, and statistics.
Some relevant majors include:
- Criminal justice
- Sociology
- Public administration
- Statistics
- Research methodology
#2. Other prerequisites
Some states require a separate certificate to work as a crime analyst, therefore formal training from professional organizations such as the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) or the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) may be of interest (IALEIA).
Certain police departments require prior law enforcement experience before becoming a crime analyst, and some analysts may be required to pass a polygraph test and a background check. Always check the prerequisites for this position with the police department and the state where you intend to work.
#3. Acquire experience
Gaining appropriate experience before applying will increase your chances of landing a job as a crime analyst. Consider working as an intern at a police agency or sheriff’s department, as a police dispatcher, and as a civilian to learn more about the fundamentals of police work. Also, seek out opportunities to learn more about data and geo-mapping tools.
What Credentials Are Required to Work as a Crime Analyst?
Most crime analysts have a criminology degree, typically at the undergraduate level, but others may decide to finish a master’s degree to show off their desire and expand their expertise. Degrees in social science, computers, and psychology are also helpful because they foster similar talents.
Who Employs Crime Analysts?
Since many smaller law enforcement organizations lack the resources or the capacity to warrant a department dedicated to crime analysis, crime analysts are most frequently employed by medium to large law enforcement organizations. Police personnel may receive training for and employment as crime analyzers in particular situations.
Is Working as a Crime Analyst a Rewarding Profession?
Crime analysis is an interesting field that combines research, analysis, and planning for policies and programs. A career as a crime analyst is a fantastic way to serve communities and the policing function while also providing law enforcement with a crucial tool for responding to, solving, and even preventing crime.
Do Criminologists Carry Weapons?
The majority of the time, profilers don’t break down doors, brandish firearms, or work alongside field agents in manhunts. Nor are they mind readers or psychics.
What Is the Title of an FBI Profiler?
Criminal behavioral analysts help the FBI and local law enforcement develop leads based on the kind of individual who commits a particular crime. They do this by combining psychology and good old-fashioned detective work.
Crime Analyst FAQs
What qualifications do I need to be a crime analyst?
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is required for a position as a crime analyst. Criminology and other related subjects such as psychology or sociology are also accepted. In most circumstances, focusing on classes like probability and statistics can be beneficial.
How do I become a criminal analyst UK?
You must do the following:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a British national.
- Have spent the last three years in the United Kingdom.
- Pass more stringent background checks.
- Possess a high level of fitness
- Pass a medical examination
Related Articles
- Car Accident Lawyer: Fees and How they Work
- FINANCIAL ANALYST: Meaning, Requirements, Skill, Salary, ( +free Employment tips)
- How To Enter A Bounced Check In QuickBooks- Expert Guide
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Job Description, Certifications & Salary In the US
- Credit Analyst: Job Description, Qualifications & Salary (US)
