Armadillo? ;w;

Could always go with a chicken.

Owl or Hawk? Fitting since they have the sharp eyes, as should any detective.

Does he have a backstory already?

It's for a school assignment where we need to draw a frame from Hitchcock's Vertigo, but are allowed our own take on it. I think I've got the character figured out, though! =)

I vote the EGG..

A racoon. Formley a street punk who knows how the criminal mind works he turned and still tries to run from his past

Besides being the hard-boiled personality type, any other ideas you got in mind? I kinda like the animal type to blend with the personality in a few traits. I.E. one of my own cop characters Lexington Higgins. Species: iguana. Takes his work seriously. Very disciplined and precise in both his duty and martial skills. He has a stern edge, but is not heartless or mean. Very much no nonsense.

How about a raven? They even look like noir character

How about a turtle? He'd be good at going... under cover