"Specialized Investigator" gigs

[5shot]

That's true of all investigator jobs. 10% field work, 90% paperwork.

I don't know your investigative experience, but that doesn't sound very realistic. I guess there are guys who can do 90% of their work with a phone and computer at their desk, but that hasn't been my experience. That may be true in agencies that deal with regulatory issues instead of criminal investigations, or with investigators in supervisory/management positions. I guess it depends on the work assignment. Most of the criminal investigators I've worked with spent about 60-70% of the day in the field.

[5shot]

They are 830.2 positions, which have statewide Peace Officer authority, not just city or county wide.

Not entirely true. ABC agents have 830.2 authority. But most of the other state investigative agencies, medical, insurance fraud, DMV, labor board, etc have 830.3 or lower authority. And there is a reason why the legislature defined peace officer authority in lowering degrees.

[CalCop]

I don't know your investigative experience, but that doesn't sound very realistic. I guess there are guys who can do 90% of their work with a phone and computer at their desk, but that hasn't been my experience. That may be true in agencies that deal with regulatory issues instead of criminal investigations, or with investigators in supervisory/management positions. I guess it depends on the work assignment. Most of the criminal investigators I've worked with spent about 60-70% of the day in the field.

I was overstating to make a point...if you don't like paperwork...don't become an investigator. However, my experience has been different than yours. I would say at least 50% goes to paperwork. For example, if I spend two hours interviewing a suspect, it takes me the whole next work day to put the interview to paper. And if I take photos and notes of a crime scene, I spend twice that amount of time, or more, booking evidence, analyzing, organizing, preparing exhibits, etc. So, I would say I easily spend more time at office work than field work for my investigations.

[Raider510]

Good thread. I had thought about applying to ABC but I want to get my bachelor's first. Soul Stealer, would DHS take apps from people with just an AA degree or do you need a bachelors?

[Sacmedic]

5shot,

With all due respect, the exact number our individual peace officer classification is listed in the Penal Code is not indicative of a certain degree of authority. A peace officer listed at the trailing end of section 830 makes a valid arrest just like someone listed near the top. The scope of intended duties changes based on where the position is listed in the code, but people in the non-830.1 & 830.2 positions typically do those jobs because it is their area of expertise. The most significant difference in code sections below 830.2 is that the employer can decide whether to allow these classifications to carry firearms, on duty. That is a discussion for another thread though.

[5shot]

5shot,

With all due respect, the exact number our individual peace officer classification is listed in the Penal Code is not indicative of a certain degree of authority. A peace officer listed at the trailing end of section 830 makes a valid arrest just like someone listed near the top. The scope of intended duties changes based on where the position is listed in the code, but people in the non-830.1 & 830.2 positions typically do those jobs because it is their area of expertise. The most significant difference in code sections below 830.2 is that the employer can decide whether to allow these classifications to carry firearms, on duty. That is a discussion for another thread though.

The terms "full duty" and "limited duty" use to be commonly used when describing peace officers descriptions. When the state legislature started defining peace officer authority, it was with the intention of avoiding the police corruption that was common in some states.
The CHP was set up to work statewide, but their primary duties was to enforce the vehicle code, and working other traffic matters. That way there would not be a state police department, where 1 person, corrupt or not, could control law enforcement in the whole state. California did have a "state police" division also, but their primary duties was limited to guarding state properties, buildings, and officials.
"Primary duties" is the key word. As peace officer descriptions go down the code, 830.2, .3, etc., the primary authority gets more limited to what the actual function of their organization is. And as you said, their ability to carry firearms on or off duty also has limitations on it as you go down thru the code.
But the legislature also did not want to limit a peace officer's authority to take action to protect the public safety when a crime was committed in their presence. So all peace officers have the authority to take action on most crimes committed in their presence. But not the authority to go looking for those crimes.
Peace officer status is just one of the things to consider when looking for a law enforcement job. Just like work schedules, locations, duties, pay, retirement, and benefits.

[CalCop]

I'm more interested into any insight anyone might have into the work itself. I realize door kicking, car chases and foot pursuits may not be the order of the day... but is the work fulfilling? Challenging? Worthwhile?

FWIW, I know several people who have worked for each of the agencies you listed. The experience of those who worked for the Dept of Insurance seems to be the most rewarding. They regularly put on their raid gear and did surveillance, search warrants, arrests, crime scene processing, etc. And they all seemed to enjoy the freedom and camaraderie. I heard no complaints from the DMV guys, but some moved on to DOI and liked it better. DOJ and ABC seemed to enjoy it as well. There is one exception. The one guy I know who worked social services was very frustrated. Felt more like a social worker than a cop, and his chain didn't back his desire to enforce many things.

[5shot]

I was overstating to make a point...if you don't like paperwork...don't become an investigator. However, my experience has been different than yours. I would say at least 50% goes to paperwork. For example, if I spend two hours interviewing a suspect, it takes me the whole next work day to put the interview to paper. And if I take photos and notes of a crime scene, I spend twice that amount of time, or more, booking evidence, analyzing, organizing, preparing exhibits, etc. So, I would say I easily spend more time at office work than field work for my investigations.

Yea, I just thought the 90%-10% was a little too vague. I can see your 50-50 example being more representative of a average investigative workload. And of course there are extreme variations to that. I've worked assignments where I only checked into the office once a week. And assignments like a warrant detail, where we'd spend the whole day in the field, and the only paperwork we'd do was a booking slip.
Paperwork depends a lot on the assignment, agency, amount of support staff, etc.
But it's the same if your working in a patrol function. Unless you work for a agency that's big enough to have "report cars", most officers/deputies will write several reports a day. Sometimes working the whole shift on just one call. Traffic officers will also usually write several reports a day.
Paperwork just goes with most law enforcement jobs.

[tbhracing]

They are 830.2 positions, which have statewide Peace Officer authority, not just city or county wide. And yes, they do have safety retirement.

This. And I will tell you upfront since I applied for some of these positions, they want POST training ahead of time.

Also, the ABC is the elite of the Investigator series. They do it all and kick ***.

[760knox]

Good info. So who else is going to apply for these jobs?

[5shot]

The announcements up currently are for specific locations.

Salaries may be a downside for some, or a upside for others. Just to compare law enforcement salaries: a O.C.S.D. Deputy makes $5089-$7308 + up to $300 additional for POST pay.
A O.C.S.D. and O.C.D.A. Investigator make $6230-$7975 + up to $300 additional for POST pay. Plus 3%@50 retirement. Of course some cities and counties pay more, some less.
So again, there's a lot of things to consider when looking into a law enforcement career.

[SoulStealer]

Good thread. I had thought about applying to ABC but I want to get my bachelor's first. Soul Stealer, would DHS take apps from people with just an AA degree or do you need a bachelors?

Most government agencies like individuals to have 4 year degrees. Now that being said, a 2 year degree will work with either military and or LE experience.

[Raider510]

Most government agencies like individuals to have 4 year degrees. Now that being said, a 2 year degree will work with either military and or LE experience.

Sounds good, luckily I have both. Although my 3 years for the POST certificate will be up later this year....

I'm working on getting my BS now, should be done in 2 years hopefully

[tanksoldier]

The most significant difference in code sections below 830.2 is that the employer can decide whether to allow these classifications to carry firearms, on duty.

How do you find out what a specific department or agency policy is?

I'm not too keen on wielding peace officer authority and responsibility while unarmed.

I'm rarely unarmed as a private individual.

[Sacmedic]

Tanksoldier,

Every agency employing peace officers below 830.2 is different. It all depends on the mindset of the agency administration and the relative threat level involved in the job. For example, some probation departments still don't arm their PO's, most do. Within some agencies only certain peace officers can while others can't. The best way to find out is to research the agency you are applying for individually. No comprehensive list exists.