Police Force

Police Technician

A police technician is an administrator responsible for clerical duties in the police office. They're responsible for filing reports, storing evidence and entering data so they can aid police officers as they process individuals. As a lead operator of the station, police technicians oversee inventory and restock supplies when they notice something is low. They also oversee the dispatching of units, answer calls and translate information to teams as quickly as possible.

Patrol Officer

A patrol officer is an entry-level law enforcement officer responsible for maintaining the safety and security of a particular area or district. They respond to emergency calls, investigate suspicious activities, enforce traffic laws and conduct routine patrols in their assigned area. Patrol officers are typically the first responders to a crime scene and may collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to investigate and solve crimes. They may also be responsible for building positive relationships with community members and assisting those in need.

Police Officer

Police officers are the primary force within a station, helping maintain peace and safety within their area. They uphold and enforce the law in their district. Police officers help ensure that people follow the local law and that proper sanctions result for those who disobey the law. While some police officers may work within the station, many have duties in the field, working to maintain highway, city and district safety. Police officers who work in police stations help maintain order when transferring individuals or questioning suspects of crime.

Police Corporal

The police corporal is the leader of a team or squad of police officers. They can lead either depending on the station's size and number of corporals. Police corporals help supervise officers' performance, overseeing their training, action and assignments as manager figures. A corporal must ensure that police officers act in accordance with the law and police station rules, both inside and outside of the station.

Police Lieutenant

A police lieutenant helps supervise, coordinate and plan the daily activities of police units within the department. They help set goals for a unit, scheduling daily tasks to keep the district safe while training officers and new hires. They assign tasks to officers and leaders and maintain communication with the entire force. For example, if a group brings a high-priority suspect to the station, the lieutenant alerts the station of the incoming suspect and prepares for their arrival. Police lieutenants manage a jurisdiction to prevent crime, improve forces, handle management and create order.

Police Captain

The police captain, a high-level position, is the commanding officer of a division within a station. They oversee all parole officers, detectives and other members of the police station. While they don't directly manage their daily activities, they do support the functions of all non-police personnel, including independent agents and external detectives. Police captains inspect the facility's personnel, the tactics that those in authority use for training and the facilities themselves for any areas of improvement.

Police Sergeant

Police sergeants, acting in mid-level roles, work as unofficial managers for both police officers and corporals. Sergeants assess the performance of everyone under their influence and make decisions concerning their training, counseling and discipline. They help plan, manage and develop their training program over time. If there's improvement in the force because of this training plan, the police sergeant in charge can document such progress for future notation. Police sergeants may work with federal agencies, even if they're at the state or local level. They may work with the FBI on some occasions, depending on their assignments.

Detective

Detective is a law enforcement job rank that can be a mid-level or high-level position. Detectives investigate crimes and gather evidence to identify and apprehend suspects. They work in the field or in offices, collecting and analyzing data to piece together clues and develop leads. Detectives may join other law enforcement agencies and forensic specialists to solve cases. Some detectives specialize in particular areas, such as narcotics, financial crimes or homicide. They may also serve as consultants to prosecutors or testify in court as expert witnesses.

Deputy Police Chief

The deputy police chief is the second-highest rank in law enforcement. They report directly to the chief of police and usually become promoted from the captain rank. The deputy police chief keeps the chief of police informed concerning all station activities and supervises captains throughout their duties. They're also the commanding officer of different organizational bureaus, such as the detective, human resources and internal affairs bureau for their jurisdiction.

Chief of police

The chief of police is the highest-ranking officer within a police department. The chief of police acts as the manager of the entire station and CEO of the department, with those in lower ranks reporting to them. They plan long-term administration events, such as policy changes, training resources, new hires, new districts and building plans. The chief of police plans and coordinates the ordinances of a city, enforcing laws as the state leaders pass them.