How Much Do Police Detectives Earn?

Find out how much police detectives earn in the UK, required qualifications, training routes, pros and cons, and the best forces to work for.

How Much Do Police Detectives Earn? UK Salary, Training & Career Guide

Police detectives in the UK are plain-clothed officers responsible for investigating serious and complex crimes. From burglary and fraud to murder and organised crime, detectives gather evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, and bring offenders to justice. It's a challenging but rewarding career for those who are sharp, resilient, and determined to uncover the truth.

Here’s what you need to know about how much detectives earn, how to become one, what qualifications you need, and what the job really involves.

Job Description: What Do Police Detectives Do?

Detectives work in investigative teams, often in specialist units such as homicide, cybercrime, drugs, or child protection. Unlike uniformed officers, they focus on gathering intelligence and solving crimes rather than responding to emergency calls.

Responsibilities:

  • Investigating serious crimes and identifying suspects

  • Gathering, reviewing and analysing evidence (e.g. CCTV, forensics)

  • Conducting interviews with witnesses and suspects

  • Working with forensics, intelligence teams, and legal services

  • Preparing case files for prosecution

  • Attending court to give evidence

  • Maintaining detailed and accurate records

How Hard Is It to Become a Detective?

Becoming a detective is achievable, but it requires discipline, resilience, and dedication. You can become a detective through traditional policing or via direct entry programmes. The work is demanding and often emotionally difficult, especially when dealing with violent or sensitive crimes.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking

  • Attention to detail

  • Integrity and resilience, especially when under pressure

  • Excellent communication and interviewing skills

  • Emotional maturity, especially when dealing with traumatic content

  • Teamwork, and also the ability to work independently

  • Calmness under pressure, including in court or high-stress scenes

Do You Need Qualifications?

Yes, but they’re accessible to most. You do not need a degree to apply, but you must complete professional training and pass assessments.

Routes to become a detective:

1. Join as a Police Constable, then specialise:

  • Complete the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) (3 years)

  • After experience, apply to a detective role internally

2. Degree-holder Entry (DHEP):

  • 2-year graduate entry programme

  • You train while working and specialise as a detective

3. Direct Entry Detective Scheme:

  • Some forces (e.g. Met Police) offer direct-to-detective training

  • Includes classroom learning + real-world experience

  • 2 years to become fully accredited

All routes lead to PIP2 accreditation (Professionalising Investigation Programme Level 2), which qualifies you as a detective.

Career Levels and Specialisations

Detective Constable (DC) - Entry-level detective investigator

Detective Sergeant (DS) - Leads investigations, supervises officers

Detective Inspector (DI) - Oversees major investigations, team management

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) - Strategic leadership in complex cases

Detective Superintendent / Chief Superintendent -Senior command roles

Common Detective Specialisations:

  • Homicide and Major Crime

  • Cybercrime and Digital Forensics

  • Drugs and Organised Crime

  • Fraud and Economic Crime

  • Counter-Terrorism

  • Child Protection / Safeguarding

  • Sexual Offences and Rape Investigation

What Experience Do You Need?

  • None to join via PCDA or Direct Entry

  • Backgrounds in law, social work, psychology or criminology can help

  • On-the-job experience builds investigation skills over time

  • Prior policing or military experience is advantageous

  • All detectives need PIP2 accreditation for casework

Benefits of Being a Police Detective

  • Clear career structure and pension

  • Diverse, meaningful work that makes a difference

  • Specialisation options based on your interests

  • Good base salary with overtime and allowances

  • Strong team culture and camaraderie

  • Opportunities for promotion or secondments

  • Flexible entry options for graduates or career changers

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Emotionally tough – dealing with violence, abuse, trauma

  • Shift work and long hours, including evenings and weekends

  • Exposure to courtrooms, high-pressure interviews and public scrutiny

  • High caseloads and admin pressure

  • Not everyone secures direct entry roles – competition is tough

  • Stress from serious casework or difficult outcomes

Detective Salary Levels in the UK

Most detectives are public employees with salaries structured under the police pay scale.

Detective Constable (DC) - £28,551 – £46,044

Detective Sergeant (DS) - £46,000 – £51,000

Detective Inspector (DI) - £55,000 – £60,000

Detective Chief Inspector - £65,000 – £75,000

Tax Example (Detective earning £46,000):

  • Income Tax: ~£7,632

  • National Insurance: ~£4,049

  • Take-home: ~£34,319/year or £660/week

Officers also benefit from a public sector pension, sick pay, and sometimes London weighting.

What Factors Affect Salary?

  • Rank and years of service

  • Location – London and urban areas pay more

  • Specialist unit work – e.g. fraud, anti-terror can offer bonuses

  • Overtime and shift patterns

  • Union agreements (e.g. Police Federation pay terms)

  • Length of time with force – annual increases

What’s the Future for Police Detectives?

Strong. Crime is becoming more digital, complex, and transnational, creating more demand for:

  • Cybercrime investigators

  • Financial and fraud detectives

  • Digital forensics experts

  • AI and data-led policing methods

  • Private sector investigators (corporate fraud, cybersecurity)

Retirements and rising crime complexity = more demand for sharp, well-trained detectives.

Best Police Forces / Employers for Detectives in the UK

Metropolitan Police (London) - Direct Entry Scheme, major crime cases

Greater Manchester Police - Large-scale urban investigations

West Midlands Police - Digital crime and modern slavery

Thames Valley Police - Cross-county work, fraud and cybercrime

City of London Police - National lead for economic crime

British Transport Police - Rail and urban public safety

National Crime Agency (NCA) - Serious and organised crime

HMRC / SFO / MoD Police - Specialist investigations

Final Thought

Being a police detective is a serious and rewarding career for people who want to investigate crime, protect victims, and build justice. While it’s tough mentally and emotionally, it offers strong pay, career progression, and the chance to make a real difference in society.