First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

33-1012.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Also known as: Captain, Chief Deputy, Community Relations Police Lieutenant, Deputy Chief Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, Desk Sergeant, Detective Chief, Detective Lieutenant, ...

Annual Salary

$105,980

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$80,940 25th – 75th percentile $133,520
10th percentile $62,370
90th percentile $165,050
U.S. Employment: 153,130

Job Outlook

+2.9%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 10,900 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
Experience: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

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

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Management of Personnel Resources 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Monitoring 4.0
Social Perceptiveness 4.0
Persuasion 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Public Safety and Security 4.7
Law and Government 4.6
Customer and Personal Service 4.4
Administration and Management 4.0
English Language 3.8
Psychology 3.8
Sociology and Anthropology 3.3
Therapy and Counseling 3.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
56.4%
Some College
19.6%
Bachelor's
19.4%
Associate's
3.6%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Computer aided composite drawing software Computer aided dispatch software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Crime mapping software DesignWare 3D EyeWitness Email software Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS Law enforcement information databases Microsoft Internet Explorer National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN Scheduling software SmartDraw Legal Spillman Technologies Records Management The CAD Zone The Crime Zone +1 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Leadership Orientation
2.9
Dependability
2.9
Integrity
2.7
Stress Tolerance
2.6
Self-Control
2.4
Cautiousness
2.4
Attention to Detail

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Written Expression 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.9
Inductive Reasoning 3.9
Information Ordering 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Getting Information 4.7
Documenting/Recording Information 4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.3
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 4.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.2
Assisting and Caring for Others 4.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Telephone Conversations
5.0
E-Mail
5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
5.0
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.8
Contact With Others
4.7
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.6
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
4.6
Frequency of Decision Making
4.5
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.4
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
4.4
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.4
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
4.3

Related Careers

Private Detectives and Investigators
$52K
Intelligence Analysts
$94K
Coroners
$78K
General and Operations Managers
$103K
Emergency Management Directors
$86K
Security Guards
$38K
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
$66K
Compliance Officers
$78K
Public Safety Telecommunicators
$51K
Chief Executives
$206K

Is First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives right for you?

Take our free career quiz to see how you match with this and 900+ other careers.

Take the Quiz

Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.