What Does a Crime Analyst Do?
Find out what a crime analyst does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a crime analyst.
Crime analysts are responsible for analyzing crime data and other information to help law enforcement agencies solve crimes, prevent future crimes from occurring, and improve public safety. They commonly use a wide range of software tools and databases to perform this work.
Crime analysts may also be tasked with presenting their findings in a clear and concise way that’s easy for non-technical people to understand. This might include creating presentations or reports that detail the results of their analysis or how they came to those conclusions.
Crime Analyst Job Duties
Crime analysts have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Evaluating crime patterns to identify emerging trends in criminal activity
- Identifying factors that spawn criminal activity such as poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, or lack of education
- Studying crime statistics and other data to identify emerging crime trends and patterns
- Conducting research on new laws or updates to existing laws that may impact crime rates or police operations
- Analyzing data to identify patterns or anomalies that may indicate the presence of organized crime groups or potential terrorist activity
- Preparing reports detailing findings from investigations
- Providing information to the public about crime prevention methods and community safety resources
- Working closely with other members of law enforcement agencies to identify patterns of criminal behavior and develop strategies for responding to emerging threats
- Developing strategies for preventing crime by identifying locations at risk for criminal activity and developing plans to improve security measures
Crime Analyst Salary & Outlook
Crime analysts’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the type of organization they work for.
- Median Annual Salary: $66,500 ($31.97/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $125,000 ($60.1/hour)
The employment of crime analysts is expected to grow slower than average over the next decade.
Crime rates have declined over the past 20 years, and this trend is expected to continue over the next decade. However, some types of crime, such as cybercrime, may increase in the future. As a result, demand for crime analysts may be greater in some areas than in others.
Crime Analyst Job Requirements
Crime analysts typically need to have the following background:
Education: Crime analysts are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, statistics or a related field. Some employers may prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in criminal justice or criminology.
Training & Experience: Many employers will provide on-the-job training for newly hired crime analysts. This training may include learning the specific software and computer programs the company uses, as well as the specific processes and procedures they follow.
Certifications & Licenses: Crime analysts may pursue certifications to bolster their qualifications and increase their earning potential.
Crime Analyst Skills
Crime analysts need the following skills in order to be successful:
Data analysis: Data analysis is the ability to interpret large amounts of information. Crime analysts use data analysis to find patterns in criminal activity. They use this information to predict future criminal activity and develop strategies to prevent it.
Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to analyze a situation and make decisions based on the information you have. As a crime analyst, you need to be able to make decisions about the information you have about a crime. For example, if you have a suspect but no evidence to support an arrest, you need to be able to make a decision about whether or not to make an arrest.
Problem-solving: Crime analysts use problem-solving skills to find solutions to challenges they face in their work. For example, they may need to find a way to gather information about a suspect who doesn’t have a criminal record. They may also use problem-solving skills to find ways to overcome technical issues when gathering data from databases.
Research: Crime analysts often research information to help them solve cases. They may research information about suspects, victims and crime scenes to find connections between them. They may also research laws and regulations to find out what types of information law enforcement agencies can and can’t share with them.
Communication: As a crime analyst, you may be required to communicate with law enforcement, victims, witnesses and suspects. You may also be required to communicate with other analysts to share information or collaborate on a case. Effective communication skills can help you convey information clearly and build relationships with others.
Crime Analyst Work Environment
Crime analysts work in a variety of settings, including police departments, sheriff’s offices, and federal law enforcement agencies. They may also work in private security firms or in research organizations. Many crime analysts work in cubicles or small offices, and some work from home. They typically work 40 hours per week, but they may work longer hours to meet deadlines or to respond to crime waves. Crime analysts typically work regular business hours, but they may be required to work evenings or weekends to attend meetings or to work on special projects.
Crime Analyst Trends
Here are three trends influencing how crime analysts work. Crime analysts will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Use of Data to Improve Police Practices
The use of data to improve police practices is becoming increasingly popular, as it allows law enforcement agencies to make better decisions and allocate resources more effectively.
Crime analysts can take advantage of this trend by becoming experts in data analysis and visualization. This will allow them to help police departments make better decisions about how to use their resources and where to focus their efforts.
More Collaboration Between Law Enforcement and Academia
There is a growing trend towards collaboration between law enforcement and academia. This is due to the realization that both parties have something to offer each other: law enforcement can provide academic institutions with real-world experience, while academics can provide law enforcement with new ideas and research.
As this trend continues to grow, crime analysts will need to be able to bridge the gap between these two worlds. They will need to be familiar with both law enforcement and academia in order to create partnerships that are beneficial for all parties involved.
Data Security Becomes More Important
As data security becomes more important, crime analysts will need to become experts in protecting sensitive information.
This means that crime analysts will need to be familiar with the latest data security techniques and technologies. They will also need to be able to identify potential threats to data security and develop strategies to mitigate those threats.
How to Become a Crime Analyst
A career as a crime analyst can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s important to consider all the factors that will influence your success in this field, including your education level, experience, and personal qualities.
If you want to become a crime analyst, it’s essential to have a strong background in math and science. You should also be able to think critically and be able to solve complex problems. Additionally, it’s important to have good communication skills so that you can effectively communicate your findings to others.
Advancement Prospects
There are many ways to advance your career as a crime analyst. One of the best ways is to get further education and training in the field. This can help you move up to more senior positions, such as lead crime analyst or manager of a crime analysis unit. You can also advance by becoming certified as a crime analyst through a professional organization, such as the International Association of Crime Analysts.
Another way to advance your career is to get more experience. This can involve taking on more responsibility within your current position, or moving to a new job with more responsibility. As you gain more experience, you will be able to take on more complex projects and tasks, and you will be better positioned for promotion to a senior position.
Crime Analyst Job Description Example
The [City/Town] Police Department is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented crime analyst to join our team. The ideal candidate will have experience working with law enforcement agencies in the analysis of crime data, development of intelligence products, and the creation of crime maps. He/she will be skilled in the use of statistical software programs and mapping applications, and will have the ability to effectively communicate complex information to a variety of audiences. The crime analyst will play a key role in the department’s efforts to reduce crime and keep our community safe.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as a liaison between the police department and the community, providing information and analysis to support crime prevention initiatives
- Conduct statistical analysis of crime data to identify patterns, trends, and hot spots, and develop recommendations for proactive and targeted enforcement
- Prepare detailed reports on findings, including maps, charts, and graphs, for presentation to law enforcement personnel and community groups
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of analytical software programs and databases, and utilize them effectively in daily work
- Stay abreast of new developments in the field of criminology and criminal justice, and apply this knowledge to improve analytical methods
- Collaborate with other analysts in the development of innovative solutions to complex problems
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Effectively communicate technical information to non-technical audiences
- Train new analysts in methods and procedures
- Serve as a resource to law enforcement personnel on matters related to crime analysis
- Assist in the development of grant proposals related to crime analysis
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, or related field
- 1-3 years of experience working with law enforcement data
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
- Experience with statistical analysis software, such as SPSS or R
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- Master’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, or related field
- Experience working with GIS mapping software
- Fluency in a second language
- Previous experience as a police officer or detective
Similar Jobs