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Police job descriptions: How to work your way up in the Police Department

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Chain of Command at the Police Department

Promotions usually happen from within a police department. Before beginning your criminal justice degree online, if you are planning to become a police officer, you should know what the chain of command is. The following example is from the Los Angeles Police Department, but other police departments are similar (although salaries may be lower in less expensive areas).

Police Officer

A Police Officer is initially a probationary officer who automatically advances to normal status upon successful completion of his/her probationary period. A Police Officer may be assigned to a foot beat, a patrol car, bicycle patrol, mounted unit, a motorcycle or a specialized unit such as a SWAT team.

A Police Officer may also serve as a Vice Investigator, Instructor at the Police Academy, Detective Trainee, Legislative Officer, News Media Coordinator or Recruitment Officer.

If you get a criminal justice degree or criminal justice degree online you will begin your career as a police officer with a better chance for promotion.

Salary Range: $55,000-$80,000 per year

Police Detective

A Police Detective is assigned to specialized functions of criminal investigations. A Detective is responsible for responding to the scenes of crimes, conducting investigations, preparing reports, apprehending suspects, preparing the case for a successful prosecution and testifying in court.

Some of the specialized duties performed by Detectives include: narcotics investigations, surveillance; gang related crimes; investigating scenes of crimes such as homicide, theft, robbery, auto theft and illegal sex related activities.

Salary Range: $77,000-$105,000 per year

Police Sergeant

Sergeants supervise patrol officers on foot or in vehicles; review and approve reports; respond to crime scenes at the request of police officers; handle radio calls and dispatch personnel; keep supervisors informed of important issues; and train and supervise probationary officers.

A police Sergeant may be assigned to any one of the following specialized divisions: Air Support, Personnel, Commission Investigation, Communications, Public Affairs, Juvenile, Narcotics, Vice, Jail, Traffic, Court Liaison, Community Relations, Training, Legal Affairs, Mounted Unit or SWAT team.

Salary Range: $86,000-$100,000 per year

Police Lieutenant

The Lieutenant is responsible for supervising patrol sergeants, police officers and detectives who carry out crime suppression and investigative functions. The Lieutenant responds to scenes of serious crimes such as shootings, homicide, major robbery and theft. He reviews and ensures complete and accurate follow-up investigations and keeps the Captain informed of issues of concern within his or her command.

The Lieutenant acts as a leader at the scene of crime, and reviews and completes all reports for the approval of a Captain.

Salary Range: $101,000-$119,000 per year

Police Captain

As a Commanding Officer of a patrol or detective division, the Captain is responsible for: inspecting and overseeing the functions of the patrol officers or detectives; supervising the administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel; inspecting personnel, facilities, and tactics for safety and training; maintaining liaison with government, and civic and private organizations to promote neighborhood safety.

In addition to carrying out these duties, Captains assigned to specialized divisions such as Narcotics, Organized Crime and Vice, Homicide, Juvenile Services, Auto Theft, Financial Crimes, Air Support and Transit are responsible for unique duties characteristic of each division.

Salary Range: $119,000-$156,000 per year

Police Commander

Police Commanders act as commanding officers for Community Affairs, Uniformed Services, Detective Services, Juvenile Services, Criminal Intelligence, Personnel, Training, Internal Affairs and Transit Groups. Each of these Groups is sub-divided into more specialized divisions such as Narcotics, Organized Crime and Vice, Anti-Terrorist, Auto Theft, Air Support, Crime Suppression, Labor Relations and Homicide, and each Division is under the command of a Police Captain. Police Commanders are promoted from the rank of Captain.

For the higher ranks within the police department, a criminal justice degree or criminal justice degree online will give you the upper hand when it comes time for promotion.

Salary Range: $147,000-$174,000 per year

Police Deputy Chief

The Police Deputy Chief is the second highest rank in the Police Department and reports directly to the Chief of Police and can be promoted from the rank of Captain or Commander. The Deputy Chief is assigned as the commanding officer of major organizational components such as Geographic Operations Bureaus, Detective Bureaus, Human Resources Bureau or the Internal Affairs Group.

Specifically, the Deputy Chief oversees the detectives who investigate crimes such as homicide, robbery, auto theft, forgery and criminal conspiracy, and police officers assigned to traffic enforcement and accident investigation.

The Deputy Chief acts as a Chief of Staff to the Chief of Police and keeps the Police Chief informed of all operational activities.

Salary Range: $161,000-$235,000 per year

Chief of Police

The Chief of Police (COP) is the highest-ranking officer in the Police Department. As the General Manager of the Police Department, the COP is responsible for the planning, administration and operation of the Police Department. In this capacity, the COP directs, plans and coordinates the enforcement of city ordinances, and the laws of the state and nation for the purpose of protecting people and property, and for the preservation of peace.

The COP is generally selected from within the ranks of Deputy Police Chiefs and should have a college degree and at least 12 years of progressively more responsible law enforcement experience.

Salary: $256,000 per year

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