She wanted to solve crimes, not be a meter maid. 

这是个口语句子，不是很规范。承前省略了重复的成分：

not be = not to be = but not to be

意思是：她想破案，而不是当一名女交警。

又如：

I like to criticize, not be criticized. =

I like to criticize, but not to be criticized. 

我喜欢批评（别人）然而讨厌被批评。

You need to use such knowledge,  not be ruled by it. =

You need to use such knowledge,  but not to be ruled by it. 

你需要使用这些知识，但是不能被其所辖制。