Expert: Loren Stevens - 1/5/2006

Question
Hi there!

I wanted to ask if I could have a basic review of what the officers of these ranks do: Uniformed/Patrol officer, Sgt., Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief/Asst. Chief, and Chief/Sheriff

The help would be very much appericated, I doing this for a writing project I've been planning the past few months. But, at the risk of sounding pretentious I won't say novel, because it going to be trash the first time around, and I'll probably want to drop it several times before it's finished, and then I'll have to majorly edit it. But, because the first time I asked this I said 'writing project' I got turned down because the person thought it was for homework...but, I guess it would be considered 'homework', since I'm trying to do my 'homework' for the story.

I wanted to know, because I'd be extremely embarassed if someone pointed out that I had gotten something wrong on their roles at the station. (If you're wondering why I included all this, it's because I don't want to get turned down again.)

Thank you very much!

(P.S.: Now your expertise info has me wondering...what does Covert Operations consist of?

Answer
Amber,
I'll try to give you a thumbnail sketch of these positions, in somewhat generic terms. The reason, is that all agencies do not follow a template for these positions, and vary a great deal on a continuum.
Also, you can hit the library and get a couple texts that will help you out emensley.
"Patrol Procedures" by Payton
"Police Administration" by Wilson.
Most uniformed patrol officers work service calls, response to citizen calls, coupled with what ever initiatives they get into proactively on their own between calls for service.
They work: Patrol, Traffic, foot and vehicle beats.
They are considered "Line operations" in the police mission(s), and first responders.
SGT. is usually the first promotion step from patrol officer, and usually competitive with written and oral examinations. The SGT. is the first line supervisor over patrol level officers, and represents mgt. Generally, the majority of a Sgt's time is supervision of functions and personnel, and minority of their time associated with administrative issues (paperwork).
Some large agencies also have a CPL rank between patrol officer and SGT.
LT. is the next highest rank from SGT. Usually, a LT. will supervise from 3-6 or7 Sgt's, depending on the complexity of the assignment. The number of immediate subordinates per supervisor or manager is called "span of controll."
A LT. typically, does the majority of their time with administrative management issues, and a minority of their time with supervision (of Sgts)
A LT. answeres to a Captain, who usually has oversight of a major subdivision of an agency eg., Detective Bureau, Patrol Bureau, etc.
Capt. is usually the highest civil service rank ie., competitive level. Above Captain is typically appointed, and includes a political component.
Deputy Chief/Chief Deputy (the former is usually a city department, the latter is usually a county agency) is the rank above Captain. Usually appointed, and usually in charge of a Division, eg., all uniform field services, or all Investigative services, or all support services, all detention services et al.
All ranks Captain and above are considered as:"Command ranks" To further winnow it down, all ranks Deputy Chief and above are considered as "Staff". Larger departments also have Commander ranks which is between Captain and D/C, and also have Assistant Chief or Assistant Sheriff, which is between D/C executive head. A Sheriff also has an Under Sheriff, which is the #2 of his/her agency.
Ranks of D/C and above are also refered to as: Executive staff.
A Chief of police is usually a municipal or city appointed position.
A Sheriff is a county elected position. There are also a few Metro agencies..eg., Metro Dade FL, and Metro Las Vegas.
Agency oversight and role of reviewers is a staff function, as is the due dilligence of the agency.
The exec. staff is tasked with fiduciary duties for the political body of jurisdiction. They are required to develop procedures, and policies, re: standards of conduct. They do budget issues and performance responsibilities.
Is this enough to satisfy your basic needs?
regards,
loren