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First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
  • Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
  • Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
  • Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
  • Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
  • Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
  • Train staff in proper police work procedures.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Lieutenant
  • Patrol Sergeant
  • Police Captain
  • Police Sergeant
  • Captain
  • Deputy Sheriff

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