Criminal Analyst job description.
A criminal analyst reviews crime data, case records, and intelligence to identify patterns, trends, and links between criminal activities. They support law enforcement investigations by producing analytical reports, mapping crime trends, and providing actionable insights to investigators and command staff for resource deployment and case development.
The Criminal Analyst job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Criminal Analyst Reports to: Investigations Supervisor or Chief of Police
A criminal analyst reviews crime data, case records, and intelligence to identify patterns, trends, and links between criminal activities. They support law enforcement investigations by producing analytical reports, mapping crime trends, and providing actionable insights to investigators and command staff for resource deployment and case development.
- Analyze crime data, incident reports, and case files to identify patterns and trends
- Produce link analysis and crime mapping to support active investigations
- Prepare analytical reports and briefings for investigators and command staff
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Investigations Supervisor or Chief of Police
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Analyze crime data, incident reports, and case files to identify patterns and trends
- Produce link analysis and crime mapping to support active investigations
- Prepare analytical reports and briefings for investigators and command staff
- Maintain and query law enforcement databases and information systems
- Track offender activity and identify potential suspects or connections
- Collaborate with detectives and outside agencies on shared intelligence
- Present findings in clear, actionable formats for non-technical audiences
- Ensure handling of sensitive data complies with agency and legal requirements
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, statistics, or a related field
- 2+ years of experience in crime analysis or a related analytical role
- Proficiency with crime mapping and data analysis software
- Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearance
- Experience with GIS or specialized crime analysis platforms
- Certification from a recognized crime analysis association
- Prior law enforcement or intelligence community experience
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Criminal Analyst job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Criminal Analyst job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Investigations Supervisor or Chief of Police) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a criminal analyst need a law enforcement background?
- Not necessarily; many criminal analysts come from analytical or research backgrounds and are trained on law enforcement systems on the job.
- What tools do criminal analysts typically use?
- Common tools include crime mapping and GIS software, records management systems, and data visualization platforms for pattern analysis.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Crime Analyst
A crime analyst reviews incident reports, calls for service, and other data sources to identify patterns, trends, and hot spots that support investigations and patrol deployment.
Criminal Investigator
A criminal investigator gathers evidence and conducts inquiries into alleged criminal activity for a law enforcement or government agency.
Threat Analyst
A Threat Analyst monitors, investigates, and assesses cybersecurity threats to protect an organization's systems and data.
This Criminal Analyst job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.