# Police job ranks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101 "2018-03-24T00:28:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/41 "2018-03-25T20:36:18Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I think that it is a given that being a ‘detective’ who investigates crimes and does not (generally) wear a uniform is a more high-status job than being a uniformed constable who does patrols and sorts out problems on the ground. I don’t know about the status, but I always thought detectives were plain clothes. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/42 "2018-03-25T20:42:25Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > That is not true in real life. There are no detective lieutenants in the NYPD. Captains or lieutenants who supervise detective squads may wear plain clothes on the job, or they may not, depending on the specifics of their command duties. It’s true that there is not a separate title of “detective lieutenant” in the NYPD , but as a general rule , anyone in the detective bureau ( up to and including the [Chief of Detectives](http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/nypd-reshuffles-forces-focus-gang-violence-article-1.2526152) ordinarily wears plainclothes. They do wear uniforms on certain occasions ( funerals, promotion ceremonies and when they are assigned to do what is ordinarily patrol work are the only ones I can think of offhand, but I’m sure there are more). I believe **Bijou Drains** was responding to your earlier post, where you said > [@](#): > > Lieutenants and higher will always wear uniforms. and that “always” is not accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/43 "2018-03-25T21:36:24Z")
Car 54 was a sitcom about 2 patrol officers in uniform. It ran 61 to 63 on NBC. Not many sitcoms about cops, Barney Miller was another one. Cop rock was a musical show about cops, it was panned and lasted just 11 episodes in 1990 on ABC. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/44 "2018-03-25T23:52:24Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Car 54 was a sitcom about 2 patrol officers in uniform. It ran 61 to 63 on NBC. Not many sitcoms about cops, Barney Miller was another one. > . Oddly, the cops I know always said Barney Miller was the most realistic cop show on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/45 "2018-03-26T05:01:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > e.g. Inspector Cramer of Homicide. Or Inspector Luger of Barney Miller. From dialog in the show, apparently in charge of at least several precincts. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/46 "2018-03-26T05:51:39Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Except when there is. > > In the late 90’s or so almost every public safety worker in my area had to take the mind numbing [Incident Command System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incident_Command_System) training. > > In 2006 there was a major emergency because of an explosion at a local [factory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Falk_Corporation_explosion). > > As I had predicted all that NIMS stuff went completely to shit. There was an unbelievable amount of dick waving and pissing contests regarding jurisdiction and who was in charge and yadda yadda yadda. > > I briefly got sent to that clusterfuck even though the unit I worked in at the time was the compliance sector of vice, which would have had nothing to do with anything even remotely relateable to such a situation. I just happen to have been on the clock at the time. After being in the middle of the bickering and infighting I was never so glad as I was when I was told I could disregard the assignment! Maybe when they heard there was a ‘clusterfuck’ with ‘dick waving and pissing contests’ they thought it was Vice’s time to shine? And thanks all for setting me straight on special agents. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/47 "2018-03-26T08:34:30Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Maybe when they heard there was a ‘clusterfuck’ with ‘dick waving and pissing contests’ they thought it was Vice’s time to shine? Heh. Actually they just wanted all available units to respond so we could take witness statements and such. I was just typing up some reports regarding tax stamp checks I had done the previous week and was told to respond. When I arrived there were County Deps, MPD Officers, West Milwaukee Officers, State Troopers and even a State Capitol Police Officer (they have a sub-station in downtown Milwaukee). There was absolutely no equilibrium among them over who was going to do what, who was in charge, etc., etc… And the feds hadn’t even shown up yet to add more to the mix. I had a patrol sector supervisor bluntly ask me WTF I was doing there. When I told him I was sent to take statements and such he told me they were good and I could cut loose. Technically I could have told him I was staying but no way did I want to be involved in that shit storm. I took his word for it and split. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/48 "2018-03-26T11:01:38Z")
In a series I’ve read about the Philadelphia Police Dept, the ranks are 1. Officer 2. Corporeal / Detective \* 3. Sergeant \*\* 4. Lieutenant 5. Captain 6. Staff Inspector \*\*\* 7. Inspector 8. Chief Inspector - Same pay, rank, just different jobs. Corporals are more supervisory and Detectives perform investigations. \*\* Detective Sergeants usually were Detectives, but Detectives promoted to Sergeant might go back to uniform. Corporals promoted to Sergeant rarely go to Detective squads. \*\*\* Staff Inspectors are like internal affairs officers investigating crimes and corruption committed by Philadelphia elected officials. And their high ranking staffers. Usually, Staff Inspector is bypassed and Captains go straight to Inspector. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/49 "2018-03-26T15:21:10Z")
The largest police force in the state is the New Jersey State Police. Their commandant holds the rank of Colonel and that is their highest rank. Why? Because Norman Schwarzkopf Sr wanted that way when he formed the organization. Because they are so big they also have multiple levels of sergeant like the military as well as the ranks of major and lieutenant colonel. That and because the Attorney General is, technically, the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the state. To make the chain of command clear there can be only one General. Hence, Colonel. I’m not sure if that’s true or not but that’s what they told us when I went through the police academy that was run by the State Police. Such pleasant memories. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/50 "2018-03-27T13:55:56Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > The largest police force in the state is the New Jersey State Police. Their commandant holds the rank of Colonel and that is their highest rank. Why? Because Norman Schwarzkopf Sr wanted that way when he formed the organization. Because they are so big they also have multiple levels of sergeant like the military as well as the ranks of major and lieutenant colonel. > > That and because the Attorney General is, technically, the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the state. To make the chain of command clear there can be only one General. Hence, Colonel. I’m not sure if that’s true or not but that’s what they told us when I went through the police academy that was run by the State Police. Such pleasant memories. I was at Sea Girt too. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/51 "2018-03-27T15:29:02Z")
when Gaddafi ran Libya he was a colonel , not a general. I guess that was also his choice. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/52 "2018-03-27T15:49:05Z")
I watch the First 48 and have seen several of the detectives promoted to Sergeant. That always results in them leaving homicide and returning to patrol work. It is considered a promotion and potentially a path to even higher rank. I remember a After the First 48 special where they followed the trial a couple years later. The original detective was in uniform and a Sergeant. He appeared on camera giving his recollection of the investigation. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/53 "2018-03-27T15:55:42Z")
Why are detectives in plain clothes? Does it make them more approachable and sympathetic during an investigation? I’ve never heard them say on the First 48. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/54 "2018-03-27T16:24:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I watch the First 48 and have seen several of the detectives promoted to Sergeant. > > That always results in them leaving homicide and returning to patrol work. > > It is considered a promotion and potentially a path to even higher rank. > > I remember a After the First 48 special where they followed the trial a couple years later. The original detective was in uniform and a Sergeant. He appeared on camera giving his recollection of the investigation. It’s not considered a promotion. It is a promotion by any definition I know. You get a raise in pay. Detectives don’t have supervisory authority over anyone. A sergeant is part of management. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/55 "2018-03-27T16:40:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Why are detectives in plain clothes? > > Does it make them more approachable and sympathetic during an investigation? > > I’ve never heard them say on the First 48. For these and other reasons. It also helps them to avoid being approached in the way that a uniformed patrol officer might be approached. They can concentrate on the investigation. It also helps to remember that even plainclothes detectives and officers actually HAVE uniforms and they normally wear them when they attend funerals, memorial services, civic functions, promotion and swearing-in functions, etc. There are usually at least a couple levels of uniforms, too, just like in the military. (This varies from agency to agency, so you will see a pretty wide range.) ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/56 "2018-03-27T18:12:07Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Or Inspector Luger of Barney Miller. From dialog in the show, apparently in charge of at least several precincts. IIRC, Hill Street Blues won a couple Emmys. Was that show anywhere near reality? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/57 "2018-03-27T19:48:15Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Detectives don’t have supervisory authority over anyone. A sergeant is part of management. > [@mlees](#): > > IIRC, Hill Street Blues won a couple Emmys. Was that show anywhere near reality? As always it depends on the agency and their written policies. So there are a zillion different answers. The last 4 years of my first career were in the bureau. If I was conducting an audit or investigation that was within the scope of my assignments and a patrol sergeant or higher came along and started giving me orders on what to do, I was within my authority to blow them off even though they outranked me. But policy allowed for that. Another agency may have it an entirely different way. Resulting in a zillion different answers. Hill Street Blues allegedly took place in Pittsburgh. Perhaps the LEO consultant for that show took a few pages from their written policies, or perhaps not. Either way, that show is over 35 years old. Things change. I first got on the job in '82. A helluva lot of things have changed. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/58 "2018-03-27T20:15:48Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Hill Street Blues allegedly took place in Pittsburgh. Perhaps the LEO consultant for that show took a few pages from their written policies, or perhaps not. Either way, that show is over 35 years old. Things change. I first got on the job in '82. A helluva lot of things have changed. I don’t know what your answer is. I know HSB is old. (I grew up on it. My teenaged me kinda liked it.) It is also why I phrased my question in the past tense. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/59 "2018-03-27T20:34:01Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > As always it depends on the agency and their written policies. So there are a zillion different answers. > > The last 4 years of my first career were in the bureau. If I was conducting an audit or investigation that was within the scope of my assignments and a patrol sergeant or higher came along and started giving me orders on what to do, I was within my authority to blow them off even though they outranked me. > > But policy allowed for that. Another agency may have it an entirely different way. Resulting in a zillion different answers. I don’t know if there is going to be much difference in many departments. It’s basically how it is in the military where there is general military authority and command authority. Someone who outranks you can give orders pertaining to breaking rules, regulations and statutes. If they are not in your chain of command they don’t have the authority to order you to abandon your current assignment or to give you other assignments. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101/60 "2018-03-28T16:09:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > …The largest police force in the state is the New Jersey State Police. Their commandant holds the rank of Colonel and that is their highest rank. Why? Because Norman Schwarzkopf Sr wanted that way when he formed the organization… The Ohio State Highway Patrol also has a bird colonel as its top dude: [Ohio State Highway Patrol](http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/about-staff.aspx) > [@JRDelirious](#): > > … Yep. It may be kind of hard not to smirk at Sherriff McSherrifface of Flyover County, pop. more cows than people, showing up wearing four stars, but that’s just a style decision to signify he is as much the head of the local police in his jurisdiction as the head of NYPD is in his… I recently saw a picture in the news of a rural sheriff who wore a five-star insignia, just like Ike. Yeesh. > [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > every FBI agent is a special agent , even rookies right out of training. Yes, supposedly due to J. Edgar Hoover, who didn’t want his men mistaken for mere state “agents.” > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > In a series I’ve read about the Philadelphia Police Dept, the ranks are > > 1. Officer > 2. Corporeal … And what a body! > [@mlees](#): > > IIRC, Hill Street Blues won a couple Emmys. Was that show anywhere near reality? I loved that show, back in the day, and remember cops at the time praising it for its gritty, unromantic realism. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101.md?page=2)