Occupation

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Human Advantage 82%

Strongly human-essential role

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
1.9 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Also Known As: Captain, Chief Deputy, Community Relations Police Lieutenant, Deputy Chief Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, Desk Sergeant, Detective Chief, Detective Lieutenant +41 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
  2. Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
  3. Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
  4. Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
  5. Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
  6. Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
  7. Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
  8. Train staff in proper police work procedures.
  9. Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
  10. Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
  11. Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
  12. Conduct raids and order detention of witnesses and suspects for questioning.
  13. Cooperate with court personnel and officials from other law enforcement agencies and testify in court, as necessary.
  14. Meet with civic, educational, and community groups to develop community programs and events, and to discuss law enforcement subjects.
  15. Inspect facilities, supplies, vehicles, and equipment to ensure conformance to standards.
  16. Direct release or transfer of prisoners.
  17. Requisition and issue equipment and supplies.

Supplemental Tasks (3)

  1. Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures.
  2. Prepare news releases and respond to police correspondence.
  3. Prepare budgets and manage expenditures of department funds.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Read and review subordinates' reports to ensure legal standards are met and there are no mistakes.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
56%
Some College Courses
20%
Bachelor's Degree
19%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Word

Software (24)

  • Computer aided composite drawing software
  • Computer aided dispatch software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Crime mapping software
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
  • Email software
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
  • Law enforcement information databases
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
  • National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
  • Scheduling software
  • SmartDraw Legal
  • Spillman Technologies Records Management
  • The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (47)

  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Audio recording equipment
  • Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Base station radios
  • Biohazard suits
  • Body armor
  • Breathalyzers
  • Bulletproof vests
  • Crime scene tape measures
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital video cameras
  • Distance measuring wheels
  • Drug testing kits
  • Explosive detectors
  • Filter masks
  • Fingerprint evidence kits
  • Fingerprint scanners
  • First aid kits
  • Laptop computers
  • Metal detectors
  • Metal handcuffs
  • Mobile data computers
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Multipurpose fire extinguishers
  • Nightsticks
  • Noise meters
  • Pepper spray
  • Personal computers
  • Plastic handcuffs
  • Police motorcycles
  • Police patrol cars
  • Police rifles
  • Police shotguns
  • Radar speed readers
  • Radio scanners
  • Remote traffic signal controllers
  • Riot shields
  • Road flares
  • Semiautomatic handguns
  • Semiautomatic pistols
  • Service revolvers
  • Side-handle batons
  • Surveillance binoculars
  • Suspect fingerprinting equipment
  • Teletype terminals
  • Two way radios

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Public Safety Financial Services

Zone 2
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives You are here
Zone 3
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 97% match
Zone 4
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 94% match

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives You are here
Zone 3
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 95% match
Zone 4
Community Health Workers 79% match
Zone 5
Archivists 79% match

Military & National Security Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives You are here
Zone 3
Detectives and Criminal Investigators 95% match
Zone 4
Emergency Management Directors 79% match
Zone 5
Astronomers 76% match

Resume Builder

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Related Occupations

Compare skills gap with any of these related roles.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersClosely Related Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsClosely Related First-Line Supervisors of Security WorkersClosely Related First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersClosely Related First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersClosely Related Transit and Railroad Police First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants Correctional Officers and Jailers
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Bailiffs Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Chief Executives Private Detectives and Investigators First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers Public Safety Telecommunicators Security Guards Compliance Officers Coroners Intelligence Analysts Emergency Management Directors General and Operations Managers

Real Talk

Hear from real First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectivess about their work:

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