“Detectives are sometime called GUMSHOES because they have to act stealthy, as if they were WEARING SOFT, QUIET shoes made of rubber.”

National Geographic 5,000 Awesome Facts, fact #9 in FAMOUS DETECTIVES TO INVESTIGATE

“It turns out that the original “gumshoes” of the late 1800’s were shoes or boots made of gum rubber, the soft-soled precursors of our modern sneakers… At the turn of the century “to gumshoe” meant to sneak around quietly as if wearing gumshoes, either in order to rob or, conversely, to catch thieves. “Gumshoe man” was originally slang for a thief, but by about 1908 “gumshoe” usually meant a police detective, as it has ever since.”http://www.word-detective.com/030299.html#gumshoe

The term was first coined in 1900, and appeared several other times before 1910. Other names according tohttps://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detective include gum, gumfoot, private eye, dick, shamus, plainclothesman, narc, shadow, G-man, hackshaw, tracer and tail to name a few.

2 Types of Detectives

There are two types of detectives, private or public.

Private detectives work for clients to collect and analyze evidence regarding legal or personal findings, then report their findings.(https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/private-detectives-and-investigators.htm) They can be paid with hourly rates, retainer fees and project based contracts. Rates vary with the complexity of the case. An average salary for a private detective in Seattle, WA is about $28.16.

Public detectives solve crimes by interviewing witnesses, analyzing information, and preparing to testify in court. They must work with other agencies and possess strong analytical, observational, and communication skills. They usually make around $37.00 an hour, or more depending on the case. Salary is also based in Seattle, WA.

Steps in becoming a detective

There are some steps that need to be taken before becoming a legitimate detective.

Becoming a detective is not as exciting as TV shows make it seem. It actually requires years of hard work and a lot of paperwork.

• Obtain a high school diploma , or GED- the minimum of the credentials needed . Some states don’t require formal education to becoming a detective, but this is the minimal requirement to be on the road to be a detective.
• Obtain a bachelor’s degree or complete police academy training. Academy training usually lasts 5-6 months, while a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice typically takes about 4 years, though some programs may take only 2 years.
• Become a police officer. Most detective roles need 2-5 years of experience as an officer.
• Gain experience and network by observing senior officers in the field during their investigations, as most positions hire from within the office.
• Passing the National Detective/Investigator Test, or the NDIT test.

NDIT test

The NDIT, or National Detective/Investigator Test, is a 75-question multiple choice exam used by law enforcement. It assesses candidates’ knowledge and skills in criminal investigations, interviewing techniques, and relevant case law to find suitable candidates for detective or investigator roles.

For anybody interested, check out (https://www.ndit.nd.gov/)

What does a detective do in a nutshell

• Review crime scenes and interrogate
• Surveil suspects
• Gather records, videos, all paperwork and work with prosecutors to make a case.
• Find and gather informants
• Search for missing people
• Perform raids and arrest
• Testify in courts

Detective positions are highly competitive, and they are usually hired within, with the best course to become part of the police force. That way may lead to being a gumshoe.

Detective work involves long hours and can be mentally exhausting as detectives search for clues in cases like homicides or missing persons. Detectives don’t typically become wealthy; instead, they often do this work out of passion for what they do.