How does the process work in law enforcement careers?

Does every cop start as a cadet and work their way up? For example, whats the experience needed for the higher-end desk jobs, did everyone start as a basic cop? Sorry if this is a broad question, i have no knowledge of the law enforcement field so please forgive me.

Here is the deal..............

You have to get hired by a police department and go to the academy. From there you go to the street and work in the Field Training Program with a training officer for months.

After that you spend years on the street humping calls and if you are good enough, you may get promoted to Detective in like VICE or Property Crimes. Do that for years, and if you are good at that job you can get the nod to go to Robbery, Sex Crimes or the top of the line......... Homicide.

Along the way, you can study and take tons of career development courses and maybe get promoted to a supervisor roll, where I am now. You would go back to the street as a road supervisor and then maybe a supervisor in the Detective Bureau.

And from there the sky is the limit. It is all about your motivation and skill. How far you want to advance is up to up and your work product and how effectively you get the job done!

But, this also depends on the size of the agency.... Smaller agencies have little room for advancement as they do not have the responsibilities, resources or lateral movement opportunities of large agencies.

Many police careers start before attending the certification academy. Depends on the state, city, county, etc. In some places you can be a sworn officer before the academy. In some areas the academy is the only place you are a cadet.

Not sure what you mean by desk job but there are many jobs that don't include being an officer. Evidence technician, finger print technician, alcohol machine tech. There are many of them.

Every cop starts out as a trainee in the academy. There are many cops with different experiences before going into the adcademy. Some were reserves, cadets, military and some had just simple everyday jobs. The "higher end desk jobs" are offered to every cop but education plays a major role on those that obtain those kinds of jobs.

I can only answer for California, where everyone goes through the police or sheriff's academy. Detectives, sergeants and higher often have BA and MA in addition to so many years on the job.

Rumor has it that it may be easier to get into Forensic investigation [CSI] using just college degrees. Another option may be Crime Analyst or Criminal Intelligence.

For your best bet try taking an introductory class at the local community college in either Criminology / Admin of Justice / Justice Studies / etc