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What is a Police Identification and Records Officer?
Example of Police Identification & Records Officer Job Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Life As a Police Identification & Records Officer: What Do They Do?
- Package, store and retrieve evidence.
- Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
- Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.
- Testify in court and present evidence.
- Perform emergency work during off-hours.
- Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
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What a Police Identification & Records Officer Should Know
When polled, Police Identification and Records Officers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles
- Community Service Officer
- Evidence Technician
- Field Identification Specialist
- Fingerprint Classifier
- Forensic Identification Specialist
Are There Job Opportunities for Police Identification and Records Officers?
There were about 110,900 jobs for Police Identification and Records Officer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,000 new jobs for Police Identification and Records Officer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,500 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Police Identification & Records Officer are Nevada, Utah, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Police Identification & Records Officer
Police Identification and Records Officers make between $43,800 and $138,860 a year.
Police Identification and Records Officers who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Police Identification and Records Officers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,750 |
| Alaska | $118,360 |
| Arizona | $81,810 |
| Arkansas | $60,340 |
| California | $107,120 |
| Colorado | $87,280 |
| Connecticut | $90,470 |
| Delaware | $89,930 |
| District of Columbia | $122,460 |
| Florida | $76,560 |
| Georgia | $66,430 |
| Hawaii | $107,010 |
| Idaho | $73,510 |
| Illinois | $87,470 |
| Indiana | $75,150 |
| Iowa | $73,320 |
| Kansas | $62,260 |
| Kentucky | $71,300 |
| Louisiana | $65,090 |
| Maine | $70,620 |
| Maryland | $102,370 |
| Massachusetts | $101,800 |
| Michigan | $86,580 |
| Minnesota | $76,640 |
| Mississippi | $64,150 |
| Missouri | $70,860 |
| Montana | $81,210 |
| Nebraska | $73,480 |
| Nevada | $87,680 |
| New Hampshire | $80,370 |
| New Jersey | $102,600 |
| New Mexico | $77,890 |
| New York | $91,250 |
| North Carolina | $60,810 |
| North Dakota | $84,340 |
| Ohio | $75,310 |
| Oklahoma | $66,130 |
| Oregon | $93,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,730 |
| Rhode Island | $86,580 |
| South Carolina | $60,420 |
| South Dakota | $72,050 |
| Tennessee | $71,940 |
| Texas | $79,950 |
| Utah | $80,840 |
| Vermont | $83,060 |
| Virginia | $98,850 |
| Washington | $85,440 |
| West Virginia | $86,340 |
| Wisconsin | $76,590 |
| Wyoming | $81,750 |
What Tools & Technology do Police Identification and Records Officers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Police Identification and Records Officers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
- SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
- The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
- Computer aided composite drawing software
- Eos Systems PhotoModeler
- Image enhancement software
- Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
- Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
- DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
- DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
Becoming a Police Identification & Records Officer
Learn what Police Identification and Records Officer education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Police Identification & Records Officer?
Police Identification and Records Officers Sector
Police Identification and Records Officers work in the following industries:
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References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.