Law Enforcement Ranks
2 March 2010
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The actual number and ranking of individual positions inside a police force can vary significantly depending upon the size of the jurisdiction and the number of officers employed. While there is no standard by which all police forces must rank their officers, below is the most commonly used ranking order. In larger cities there may be more specialized positions not listed here, while in smaller towns these responsibilities might be divided among less levels. The salary levels below are according to the International City-County Management Associations 2008 annual Police and Fire Personnel, Salaries, and Expenditures survey. Police officer is generally the title given to an entry-level new recruit. A police officer will be responsible for patrolling a designated area of the city on foot, motorcycle or in a patrol car. Entry-level police officers will also assist in directing traffic, responding to emergency calls and has direct interaction with the public. The rates of pay for an entry-level police offer range from $49,421 to $61,173, however many counties and towns pay significantly less for rookie year police without a college education. In Gadsden Texas for example, a rookie police officer can expect a starting wage of just $12.16 an hour.
Police sergeant duties often overlap those of lower rank police officers. Aside from the normal police functions, a sergeant also has management duties they are responsible for, including handling disciplinary action and implementing new policies and procedures. Most police sergeants have an average of five years of service with the force before being promoted and earn a salary between $58,739 and $70,349. A police lieutenant is responsible for directing and leading a team of officers. Along with general management and budgeting duties, lieutenants often deal with the media, attend community meetings, take part in councils and committees, and organize investigative efforts. The average earnings of a lieutenant are between $65,688 and $79,268.
Police Captain is a senior level position in the department. The average captain has 8 to twelve years experience and an advanced degree. Responsibilities include managing training programs, acting as a liaison with other governmental departments, providing support to the deputy chief, and supervising the detective division. The average salary range for a police captain is between $72,761 and $91,178. The deputy chief acts as an operations manager for the entire police force. An advanced degree and several years experience as a lieutenant or captain is often required. The deputy chief responds to the scene of major incidents and assists the police chief in setting and obtaining long term goals for the department. The rates of pay for a deputy chief generally range between $74,834 and $96,209 per year. Police Chief is either appointed or elected, depending on the location. Police chiefs are responsible for designing, managing, evaluating and overseeing all law enforcement activities in their jurisdiction and typically report directly to the mayor of their town or city. The average salary for a police chief in 2008 was between $90,570 and $113,930.
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