Police Identification and Records Officers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Police Identification Officers

Police Identification Officers collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

Salary
$89300
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Police Identification and Records Officers collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

  • Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  • Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  • Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  • Testify in court and present evidence.
Read more about what does a Police Identification and Records Officer really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$85020 per year

Average hourly wage
$41 per hour


Police Identification Officers with little to no experience tend to make between $43800 and $57560 while the more experienced ones can earn over $107000 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $59 $122,460
AK $57 $118,360
CA $52 $107,120
HI $51 $107,010
NJ $49 $102,600

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Police Identification and Records Officer is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Police Identification Officers are DC, AK, CA, HI and NJ.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Police Identification and Records Officer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Associate’s degree

We asked other Police Identification Officers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Criminal Justice/Police Science
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
Read more about how to become a Police Identification and Records Officer and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Police Identification and Records Officer.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to follow routines
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Demand for this career is growing very slowly

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
72%


70% of Police Identification Officers said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Organizers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Police Identification Officers

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Police Identification Officers job description, Police Identification Officers salary, Police Identification Officers information, what is the job of a Police Identification and Records Officer like, pros and cons about Police Identification and Records Officers, colleges and universities for Police Identification and Records Officers, is Police Identification and Records Officers the right career for me, careers in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

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