Salary range: $45,000.00–$64,200.00.
This range includes State Supplemental Pay for employees who are P.O.S.T. Level I certified.
Additional pay differentials are available for college education, military service, and prior law enforcement experience.
JOB SUMMARY
A “Detective” carries out investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Investigate known or suspected criminals or facts of a particular case to detect planned criminal activity;
Perform undercover investigations of known or suspected criminals to detect planned criminal activities;
Frequent known haunts of criminals and become familiar with suspect(s) to become familiar with their habits, associates, characteristics, aliases, and other personal information;
Maintain lines of communication with confidential informants; and, take necessary precautions to ensure the anonymity and personal safety of informants;
Maintain lines of communication with victims and witnesses; and, take necessary precautions and efforts to ensure their personal safety;
Investigate crimes and question witnesses; contact employers, neighbors, relatives, other law enforcement agencies, and other persons to locate person sought;
Obtain necessary legal documents, such as warrants or extradition papers, to bring about the return of fugitives; serve warrants and make arrests to return persons sought;
Examine medical and dental x-rays, fingerprints, and other information to identify bodies held in morgue;
Examine scenes of crimes to obtain clues and gather evidence; seize and process evidence collected in accordance with Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) procedures;
Prepare reports on the progress of investigations;
Arrest suspects and obtain evidence to be used by the District Attorney in prosecuting cases in court;
Account for monies used to purchase illegal or stolen items during undercover operations; complete formal reports detailing the particulars of all monetary transactions for submission to supervisor;
Obtain statements for prosecution of offenders and appear in court as a witness;
Lift prints from crime scene using latent print powders, brushes, and special tape; classify and file fingerprints;
Photograph crime scene to obtain record of evidence;
Photograph, record physical description, and fingerprints of homicide victims and suspects for identification purposes;
Review files and criminal records to develop possible leads such as previous addresses and aliases;
Prepare assigned cases for court according to formalized procedures;
Testify before court and grand juries;
Locate and take persons into custody on arrest warrants;
Operate radio to receive instructions and notify superiors of work efforts in progress;
Maintain weapons and equipment in functional and clean condition;
Observe and question suspicious persons and complete field interview worksheet for intelligence gathering purposes;
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Cooperate with efforts of other law enforcement agencies in conducting investigations and joint law enforcement efforts;
Perform the job duties of a “Deputy,” as needed;
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Jobholders must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and legally able to work in the United States.
Education and Experience
Associate’s degree or equivalent from a university, college, two-year college or technical school; or, two (2) to four (4) years related experience and/or training; or, equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; ability to write reports and correspondence; ability to speak effectively before groups of citizens and/or other employees and effectively testify in court;
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent; and, to interpret statistical tables and graphs.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
P.O.S.T. Certification Required;
Firearms Certification Required Annually;
Must possess a valid Louisiana Driver’s License;
Other Skills and Abilities
Must possess significant knowledge of technical and professional methods, practices, and procedures in the delivery of law enforcement services; and, possess basic skills in the operation of personal computers, typewriters, calculators, copy machines, and fax machines; basic knowledge of computer word processing software, business English, spelling, punctuation, and methods and techniques in record keeping and filing systems required;
Must have the emotional stability, maturity, and physical stamina to effectively handle verbal disparagements and physical aggression from hostile individuals, inmates, and criminal suspects and perpetrators;
Must possess the ability to perform job duties in highly stressful situations;
Must have the ability to deal courteously and effectively with the general public, governmental officials, and other employees of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office;
Must be able to work at all times of the day and night to respond to calls for service, as well as to effectively implement undercover operations;
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste and smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee must be able to run and jump when required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment requires the jobholder to be constantly aware of his/her personal safety and to exercise the utmost care in ensuring the security and safety of assigned personnel in the performance of job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, and airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, and explosives.
The noise level is usually moderate.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Group : ENFORCEMEN
Job Class : DETECTIVE
Posting Start : 07/15/2026
MINIMUM SALARY: $45,000.00
