Crime Analysts

Employers

The majority of crime analysts are employed by local and state law enforcement agencies. A great number are also hired by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice. In addition, some private security firms hire people with training in crime analysis.

Starting Out

While there is not a single, central clearinghouse for all crime analyst jobs, there are several places to look for listings. Associations such as the International Association of Crime Analysts provide job-search resources at their Web sites and networking events. Many states also have their own associations of crime analysts. However, recent graduates would be best advised to be willing to move out of state if the job pickings are slim locally.

The key to getting a job in the field is doing an internship while in college. A new crime analyst has a solid shot at finding a job in a larger, established police unit where he or she could volunteer first, learning from someone with greater experience.