How can I move from being a specialist police detective to financial services?

This week’s problem

I am a UK police detective and one of my roles within my work is that of financial intelligence officer, which includes working with foreign law enforcement agencies and local government organisations. I hope to complete the National Crime Agency’s accredited financial investigator course soon and wondered what career opportunities exist in the finance sector for someone with my experience and qualifications? Anonymous

Jonathan’s answer

You are considering if your valuable and accredited transferable skills and expertise have created more career choices for you. These, coupled with your background in professional law enforcement, should make you attractive to many organisations. According to HM Treasury, serious and organised crime, much of which is economic in nature, costs the UK about £37bn a year.

“The financially regulated sector highly values experience from a variety of professional backgrounds including law enforcement, particularly individuals with experience of investigating economic crime,” says Nikhil Manek, money laundering reporting officer and UK head of financial crime at professional services firm KPMG. Until recently, Manek was also a special constable with the Metropolitan Police and observed the crossover between roles.

Before exploring the specific opportunities that might exist for someone with your skills, first define your personal values — what is important to you? In the police you have powers, status and wide access to information. You also have professional relationships with colleagues in other international jurisdictions.

Much of this would be different in the private sector, such as clients, objectives, the nature of your investigations and the pace of work. Fundamentally, while you would have power within an organisation, for criminal activity you would be dependent on the police to take appropriate action. Of course, financial compensation is perhaps motivating your exploration.

Manek adds that the area where your skills would be most appreciated and transferable would be in a financial investigations unit in a bank or insurance company. “You would be using your current experience to investigate known or suspected crime,” he says. “Alternatively, you could consider an anti-money laundering role in the same sectors, or even for an accountancy or legal firm.”

After your NCA’s accredited financial investigator course, Manek suggests you consider the International Compliance Association’s anti-money laundering qualifications. While there is unlikely to be a shortage of openings either in a financial institution or a service provider, there may also be more opportunities for you in the police.

The question about the private sector is whether in time you would be frustrated by the lack of direct power to take action. Or would the change be energising and your pay, conditions and progression enhanced? Information interviews with ex-colleagues who made the jump could be a great source of insight to help inform your eventual decision.

Readers’ advice

In large banks, investigators identify and investigate suspicious flows of money. This often involves complex multi-jurisdictional investigations and co-operation with law enforcement. This would be the obvious choice for someone with your skills. TA10

I would stick to the police and specialise further, later you can move into consultancy while having built an excellent network and reputation within law enforcement. Dutch Paul

The next problem

I am a secondary school teacher but having taken a couple of courses in international trade, I want to move into import and export. I have already gone through a career change to become a teacher, which involved a steep learning curve and having to start at the bottom. I am keen to avoid having to do this again. Is there a way to side step? Male, 30s

Jonathan Black is director of the Careers Service at the University of Oxford. Every fortnight he answers your questions on personal and career development and working life. Do you have a question for him? Email: dear.jonathan@ft.com