Leadership and Excellence in Law Enforcement

The United States Police Department (USPD) employs a structured rank system to ensure clear leadership, accountability, and operational efficiency. Each rank reflects an officer's responsibilities, expertise, and dedication to upholding the department's mission of law enforcement excellence. 

POLICE OFFICER I

The first step in the career ladder with the United States Police Department is Police Officer I. It is the entry-level classification given to all USPD officers upon entering the Police Academy. For six months in the Police Academy, officers are taught criminal law, human relations, Spanish, and report writing. In addition, they are trained in tactics, firearms, and driving. Physical fitness and self-defense play a big part in Academy training. A Police Officer I will automatically advance to Police Officer II upon successful completion of his/her 18-month probationary period.

POLICE OFFICER II

After graduating from the Police Academy, a Police Officer I is assigned to a geographic patrol division where they must utilize all the knowledge and tactics learned in the Academy. At the next step in the promotional ladder, a Police Officer II is still considered a probationary officer and is placed under the supervision of a higher-ranking officer, normally a Police Officer III - Field Training Officer.
A probationary Police Officer II assigned to a patrol unit performs basic duties such as: responding to the scene of a crime or an accident; interviewing suspects and witnesses; writing crime reports; responding to radio calls; monitoring any suspicious activity of ongoing crimes; coordinating vehicular traffic; visiting open businesses such as banks, markets, department stores, and service stations to establish a rapport with owners; booking suspects and evidence and transporting them to the appropriate Police Department facility; responding to citizens' and visitors' questions; preparing Daily Field Activity Reports; attending and coordinating Neighborhood Watch meetings; and performing numerous other activities in support of community policing.

SERGEANT I

Much like a department manager, a Sergeant I supervises a squad or detail of Police Officers and/or civilian employees. A Sergeant I is required to provide instruction to assigned staff in the operation of their required duties. The basic capacity of a Sergeant I is field supervision, but administrative and specialized assignments are also available. Some Sergeants perform initial and follow-up investigation of crimes and perform surveillance work to detect or prevent crime.

SERGEANT II

Promoting from a Sergeant I to a Sergeant II only requires a pay grade advancement interview. A Sergeant II position is a supervisory position with specialized and administrative assignments. A Sergeant II supervises a group of Police Officers and/or civilian employees and instructs them in the performance of their assigned duties.

DETECTIVE I

From a Police Officer III classification, you can also choose to promote to a Detective I position after successfully completing a competitive Detective's examination and interview. A Detective I is often assigned to a specialized division and is responsible for responding to the scenes of crimes, conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations, preparing the required investigative reports, preparing a biopsy of the report, apprehending the suspect, preparing the case for successful prosecution, and testifying in court. Detectives may supervise and/or coordinate the activities of a detail or unit engaged in investigating various crimes or activities. Examples of the assignments in this class are undercover narcotics investigators, internal affairs investigators, and traffic accident follow-up investigators. On occasion, a Detective travels to other parts of the country or overseas to extradite suspects wanted in connection with crimes committed in our jurisdiction. In this capacity, a Detective maintains liaison with international law enforcement agencies.

DETECTIVE II

A Detective II is the next promotional step in the Detective series. It is a supervisory position and is responsible for training and overseeing the activities of Detectives I and Police Officers. Some of the specialized duties performed by a Detective II include: conduct narcotics investigations, perform surveillance, and establish and maintain contacts with informants; investigate gang related crimes; respond to and investigate scenes of crimes such as homicide, theft, robbery, auto theft, illegal sex related activities; and, crimes committed by juveniles. In addition, a Detective II may perform court liaison functions; act as a Watch Commander; provide electronic equipment expertise to conduct surveillance and polygraph examinations; investigate applicants and businesses who have applied for Police Commission permits to conduct business; investigate child abuse cases; provide expert testimony in court; and, conduct investigations of crimes committed by gangs of foreign origin.

DETECTIVE III

A Detective III is responsible for serving as a leader in high profile cases of major robbery, fraud, and homicide in addition to the duties of a Detective I and II. A Detective III reviews reports prepared by his/her subordinates, informs the commanding officer of the status of the pending investigations, provides technical expertise, trains and supervises newly assigned Detectives and civilian personnel, and performs related administrative duties.

LIEUTENANT I

After serving two years as a Sergeant or Detective, you will become eligible to promote to the next classification on the ladder upon a successful completion of a competitive Lieutenant's examination and interview. Similar to a Second Level Manager for a large corporation, a Lieutenant I manages, plans, organizes, and directs the work of both sworn and civilian employees engaged in the operation of an assigned watch or a 24-hour team in a police division or an investigational unit or detail. Lieutenants are in-charge of a specialized division or section, where they must apply sound supervisory principles and techniques to build and maintain an effective work force.

LIEUTENANT II

Promoting from a Lieutenant I to a Lieutenant II requires an interview only. A Lieutenant II may assist detective divisions' commanding officers or act as Section Officer-in-Charge of various specialized entities throughout USPD. Depending upon the division of assignment, a Lieutenant II may supervise the activities of his or her subordinates; coordinates specialized training and ensures sufficient stock of tactical supplies and equipment; maintains liaison with appropriate Department entities; acts as a leader at the scene of crime; and/or reviews and completes all reports for the approval of a Captain.

CAPTAIN I

Upon completion of one year as a Lieutenant, you can advance to a Captain I level, after passing a competitive Captain's examination and interview. A Captain I, resembling a District Manager of a large corporation, serves as a Commanding Officer of a patrol division. The Captain is responsible for inspecting and overseeing the functions of the patrol officers and detectives to ensure compliance with the Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards; supervising the administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel; inspecting personnel, facilities, and tactics for safety and/or training needs; maintaining liaison with numerous municipal, governments, civic organizations, and private citizens to establish and maintain rapport to facilitate Department functions and to promote neighborhood safety and community policing programs.

CAPTAIN II

Promoting from a Captain I to a Captain II requires an interview only. As a Commanding Officer of a specialized division, the Captain II plans, organizes, and directs the work of sworn and civilian employees engaged in the operation of a specialized or support division and applies sound supervisory principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work force. Each higher level of a Police Captain assumes a more complex and difficult level of responsibility within their assignment.

CAPTAIN III

Promoting from a Captain II to a Captain III requires an interview only. A Captain III is in charge of a geographical area or specialized division, where they perform duties similar to a Captain I and II at a higher level of responsibility. In addition, a Captain III performs administrative duties such as reviewing correspondence, budget requests, and activity reports; interviewing and hiring sworn and civilian personnel for their division; acting as a Chief's Duty Officer (off-hours); teaching classes at the Police Academy; and assuming the responsibilities of a Police Commander in his/her absence.

COMMANDER

Completion of probation as a Captain and successfully passing the Commander's examination and interview is necessary to promote to the next step in the ladder. A Commander, comparable to a Regional Vice President of a large corporation, acts as the Assistant Commanding Officer at one of the four geographic Bureaus and Operations-Headquarters Bureau. A Commander oversees and directs the activities of patrol officers within geographic areas; coordinates detectives' investigative efforts; and, exercises functional supervision over officers engaged in traffic enforcement functions; maintains contact with civic leaders and community groups within their geographic bureaus; responsible for ensuring compliance with Department policies and procedures by personnel under their supervision; conducts audits of operations; and, makes recommendations to higher management for improving productivity and increasing efficiency.

DEPUTY CHIEF I

After one year of experience as a Commander, one can promote to a Deputy Chief I position. A role similar to an Assistant General Manager or Vice President of a corporation, the Deputy Chief I is the second highest rank in the Police Department and reports directly to the Chief of Police. They direct the activities of a geographic or functional bureau or an office consisting of several bureaus of the Police Department.

DEPUTY CHIEF II

The next level in the promotional ladder is the Deputy Chief II. The Deputy Chief II keeps the Police Chief informed of all operational activities on a day-to-day basis. The Deputy Chief II directs the activities of a geographic or functional bureau or an office consisting of several bureaus of the Police Department.

CHIEF OF POLICE

The Chief of Police (COP) is the highest-ranking officer in the Police Department. As a General Manager of the Police Department, the COP is responsible for the planning, efficient administration, and operation of the Police Department under the authority of the Board of Police Commissioners. In this capacity, the COP directs, plans, and coordinates the enforcement of the penal divisions of the City Charter, the ordinances of the City, and the laws of the state and nation for the purpose of protecting persons and property and for the preservation of the peace of the community. The COP is responsible for testifying before the City Council, the state and national legislative bodies on law enforcement matters of importance; and, proposing new or amending existing legislation which could have an impact on law enforcement.