Detective

In law enforcement the term detective is used to refer to a law enforcement official (LEO) who follows up and investigates serious crimes. Detectives are more senior than patrol officers.

Detectives build cases, interview witnesses, subject crime scenes to detailed analysis, and try to make sense of all the clues. Hard to solve, or hard to document cases can remain open, for years.

Detectives, typically, do not wear a uniform, while conducting their duties.

Detectives have the same arrest powers as their uniformed colleagues. It is generally a crime to lie to detectives, just as it is to lie to their uniformed colleagues.

The term "private detective" does not refer to law enforcement officials. They have no arrest powers. Witnesses have no obligation to answer their questions, or to tell them the truth, if they do answer.