How To Become A Police Inspector: What It Is and Career Path

What is a police inspector and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a police inspector. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.34 an hour? That's $44,390 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 20,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a police inspector?

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

They need to avoid being overzealous officers. They should not put their career at the center of their life. They need to spend quality time with their family. In law enforcement, good relations with the public and colleagues are essential. They need to develop good relationships with the people and their colleagues and expand their professional network. They always try to be a "problem solver officer" rather than a "problem creator officer." If someone asks for help from them, they should treat this person with dignity and respect. They should avoid being arrogant in their interaction with the public. Because arrogance is the worst plague, and Humility is the greatest virtue.

ScorePolice InspectorUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $44,390

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.06%

Asian 3.58%

Black or African American 10.71%

Hispanic or Latino 17.98%

Unknown 4.63%

White 62.04%

Gender

female 19.61%

male 80.39%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a police inspector

Explore police inspector education requirements

Most common police inspector degrees

Bachelor's

55.0 %

Master's

17.5 %

Associate

17.5 %

Start to develop specific police inspector skills

Skills	Percentages
Patrol	72.11%
Criminal Investigations	27.89%

Complete relevant police inspector training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New police inspectors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a police inspector based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real police inspector resumes.

Research police inspector duties and responsibilities

Manage all construction projects to ensure all establish DOD security standards are incorporated.
Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorize conveyance, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
Create, implement and supervise officers for the patrol investigators training program.
Appoint federal agent assign to DEA to investigate a major narcotics organization.

Prepare your police inspector resume

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