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Steps a Police Officer Takes to Become Chief

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Related Tags: sergeant | chief | police | lieutenant | supervisory
 

Instructions

First Step

  • Step 1:
    Police officers begin their career as a patrol officer for at least two years, after which they can apply for promotions.

Rankings

  • Step 1:
    Police departments have military-style rankings, and a typical career ladder might include moving up to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy or assistant chief and chief.

First Supervisory Position

  • Step 1:
    A police sergeant is a basic supervisory position and the first ranking where an officer can become a detective. Responsibilities increase with each succeeding level.

Skipping Rankings

  • Step 1:
    Police officers also can advance to chief more directly with enough experience, such as from lieutenant to chief, particularly if higher-ranking individuals do not want the additional responsibilities of becoming chief.

Classifications

  • Step 1:
    Promotions are defined as an advance from one civil service classification to another, such as sergeant to lieutenant. Police officers also can move within a classification such as Sergeant I and Sergeant II for higher pay and additional responsibilities.

Career Ladder

  • Step 1:
    Advancing to chief usually takes many years. An officer might spend five years on patrol, 10 years as sergeant, five years as lieutenant, two years as assistant chief and finally a promotion to police chief.

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