How many letters does the top answer for “someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information” have?

The most common answer is operative (9 letters).

Crossword clue: someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information

3 answers found in Letterora's clue database (Wikidata facts, Open Trivia DB, WordNet and Webster definitions — all licensed sources).

operative 9 letters wn-def

being in force or having or exerting force

shamus 6 letters wn-def

someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information

sherlock 8 letters wn-def

someone who can be employed as a detective to collect information