Detective vs. Inspector

Detectivenoun

(law enforcement) A police officer who looks for evidence as part of solving a crime; an investigator.

Detectivenoun

A person employed to find information not otherwise available to the public.

Detectiveadjective

Employed in detecting.

Detectiveadjective

Fitted for, or skilled in, detecting; employed in detecting crime or criminals; as, a detective officer.

Detectivenoun

One who business it is so detect criminals or discover matters of secrecy.

Detectivenoun

a police officer who investigates crimes

Detectivenoun

an investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public

Detective

A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crimes by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases.

Inspectornoun

A person employed to inspect something.

Inspectornoun

(law enforcement) A police officer ranking below superintendent.

Inspectornoun

One who inspects, views, or oversees; one to whom the supervision of any work is committed; one who makes an official view or examination, as a military or civil officer; a superintendent; a supervisor; an overseer.

Inspectornoun

A police officer, typically holding a rank one below superintendent, and in some cases in charge of several precincts; as, inspector Clousseau is investigating the case.

Inspectornoun

a high ranking police officer

Inspectornoun

an investigator who observes carefully;

Inspector

Inspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.