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The specific titles and duties can vary from one police department to another, but in general, the rankings follow this order, from uniformed officer to highest in command: Uniformed Officer. Detective. Sergeant. Lieutenant. Captain. Commander. Deputy Chief. Assistant Chief.
- Police sergeant. Sergeants supervise and train their subordinates. They may also coordinate activity at crime scenes, making sure department policies and procedures are applied to law enforcement activities.
- Police lieutenant. Police lieutenant roles are usually administrative in nature. They attend meetings and serve on various committees related to their unit of command.
- Police captain. Police captains manage specific divisions within the department, like vice or homicide. They direct work and evaluate their team’s performance through written reports.
- Deputy chief. Next is the deputy chief, who may serve as the bureau commander for activities such as patrol, investigations, or support. In larger metropolitan areas such as New York City, the deputy chief may be assisted by assistant chiefs.
The Superintendent in Chief is the highest-ranking police officer in the department. This position is not always filled. Superintendents are typically in charge of a Bureau, or they can be the director of the academy.
Police ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships in police organizations. The rank system defines authority and responsibility in a police organization, and affects the culture within the police force.
- Police Officer. A police officer is typically the lowest ranking officer, and also the most common type of law enforcement officer. By some estimates, there are around 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers in the U.S. A police officer’s duties will vary, but daily duties largely consist of activities such as enforcing laws, patrolling for active crimes or traffic violations, and responding in the event of emergencies.
- Police Detective. Detectives gather facts, document and collect evidence, and interview witnesses of crimes. Depending on the size of a police department, a detective might be assigned to a specific division that focuses on one particular type of crime, such as sex crimes, homicide, or cybercrime detectives.
- Police Corporal. In most police departments, a corporal’s role is a hybrid between an officer and a detective, with additional responsibilities as well.
- Police Sergeant. Police sergeants are usually the highest ranking officer prior to entering a role that’s primarily administrative in function. Sergeants are responsible for things such as training lower ranking officers, assessing and ensuring professional standards are being maintained and adhered to, and even developing department policies.
Chief of Police (COP) The Chief of Police (COP) is the highest-ranking officer in the Police Department. As a General Manager of the Police Department, the COP is responsible for the planning, efficient administration and operation of the Police Department under the authority of the Board of Police Commissioners.
Aug 16, 2021 · Police Ranks: Breaking Down 8 Different Law Enforcement Positions. Sergeant, lieutenant, captain ... you've heard of these police ranks, but where do they fall in the hierarchy of law enforcement titles? Join us as we break down a police officer career path.
