What do vice detectives do

One of the difficulties of working as a vice detective is ensuring that no laws were broken when conducting undercover work and building a case. One of the most important jobs of vice detectives during a case is to successfully show that no coercion was used when making the case against the defendant. In-service training requirements for vice investigators are often focused on the newest strategies for completing undercover police work. As such, typical topics in a vice investigator training program include:.

What are Vice Investigations? Vice detectives must make sure that no law is broken when apprehending criminals. In the world of vice this can be a very hard task. Once a case goes to court, vice detectives appear as witnesses for the prosecuting attorney. They must successfully articulate all the nuances of the case and the defendant's role.

A common defense against vice operations is the claim of coercion, and on the witness stand, the detective must show that no coercion was used when making a case against the defendant. Individuals with an interest in becoming a vice detective should first check on the job opportunities available at their local police station. Although a college degree is not always required, many departments look for at least an associate degree.

Obtaining a degree in criminology is helpful, especially if you want to get to the position of detective. Police applicants undergo rigorous physical testing, which includes runs, pushups and pullups, that must be done in a set amount of time.

In actuality, vice officers do work on important stakeouts. Any excitement, however, is typically overshadowed by long and tedious surveillance projects aimed at slowly and painstakingly building a case that will hold up in court. Vice officers investigate crimes related to prostitution, gambling and narcotics. In some jurisdictions like Charlotte-Mecklenburg , a vice squad may also be tasked with monitoring guns, alcohol, bookmaking, pornography and human trafficking.

Although items such as guns may be legal when produced and sold in their regulated form, vice is concerned with immoral uses and illegal activities. For example, selling guns and alcohol to adults is legal, but trafficking the items illegally is a criminal activity.

Following promotion, new detectives may request assignment to the vice unit. This may not be available to officers without extensive experience in narcotics or criminal intelligence. Many departments expect their vice officers to have a diverse professional background before obtaining a position in these challenging squads. Most vice officers are detectives or criminal investigators.