The ranks of police officers vary between individual departments, but most are based on the order of military ranks. In general, officers are required to serve a certain amount of time at each level of the department, take written exams, and interview with superior officers before advancing to the next police rank. Here are the most common police ranks, ranked from lowest to highest:
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Police Officer: This is the most common kind of sworn officer in any given metropolitan department. They can perform a variety of roles including patrolling the streets, responding to the scene of a crime or accident, and participating in community awareness efforts.
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Police Detective: Detectives are responsible for investigating crimes and gathering evidence to support criminal cases. They may work in specialized units such as homicide, narcotics, or fraud.
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Police Corporal: Corporals are typically responsible for supervising a group of officers and ensuring that they are following departmental policies and procedures. They may also be responsible for training new officers.
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Police Sergeant: Sergeants are usually the highest-ranking officer prior to entering a role that’s primarily administrative in function. They are responsible for things such as training lower-ranking officers, assessing and ensuring professional standards are being maintained and adhered to, and even developing department policies.
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Police Lieutenant: Lieutenants are assigned as Officer-in-Charge of various law enforcement and administrative functions. They may be responsible for conducting audits of operations and making recommendations to higher management for improving productivity and increasing efficiency.
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Police Captain: Captains may be responsible for overseeing a specific division or unit within the department. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing departmental policies and procedures[[4]](https://www.aftermath.c...