Rank Structure
Just above sergeant in the chain of command; incharge of the entire platoon
Lieutenant
The traditional police organization separates each day or 24-hour period into three tours also called
shifts, platoons, or watches
Includes personnel, training and analysis, budget and finance, legal assistance, clerical, internal affairs, etc...
Administrative Units
Dispute resolution, crime victim assistance, counseling and other routine and emergency services.
Community Services unit
Answers incoming calls to the dept. 911 telephone lines and assigns police units to respond to emergencies and other requests for police services.
Communications
The immediate supervisor of a number of officers assigned to his or her supervision, known as a squad
Sergeant
This tour is also called graveyard shift when most people are sleeping
Midnight tour
Services includes records, communication, property, laboratory, detention, identification, alcohol testing, facilities equipment, supply and maintenance.
Auxiliary Services Unit
Maintain order, enforce the law, respond to calls for assistance and provide assistance
Patrol Unit
The ability and opportunity to transfer from one police department to another.
lateral transfers
Next in the chain of command above the lieutenant is the captain. Ultimately responsible for all personnel and all activities in a particular area, or for a particular unit, on a 24-hour-a-day basis
Captain
Hours fall between 8am -4pm; Occurs during normal business hours when stores and offices are open and children are in school.
Day tour
Include traffic, criminal investigations, vice, organized crime, juveile services, community services, crime prevention and community relations
Operational Units
Attempts to organize and educate the public on methods people can take on their own and with people to make themselves less risk to crime
Crime Prevention Unit
A federal law passed in 1883 to establish a civil service system to test, appoint, and promote officers on a merit system.
Pendleton Act
Head of the police; Generally appointed by the top official of a government (mayor, county executive, or governor)
Chief of Police/Police Commissioner
Tour falls between hours of 4pm- 12 midnight
Evening
Examines and classifies seized evidence, including drugs, weapons and evidence found at crime scene…fingerprints, fibers and stains.
Laboratory unit
Backbone of the police service
Patrol Officers
The entire collection of beats in a given geographic area; the organizational headquarters of a police department.
Precinct/district/station
Double Jeopardy
Ranks Above Captain (After the rank of Captain) it is no longer
Civil Service- meaning you still have civil service protection but in order to get promoted is based of Merit and who you know of course. It’s not based of exams.
Eliminates shift work issues; Based on seniority or the officer’s own choices
Steady Fixed Tour
Fingerprints and photographs criminals, classifies prints and maintains identification files.
Identification unit
Objective is to build positive relationships between police and the community
Community relations unit
Either part-time compensated or noncompensated sworn police employees who serve when needed.
Reserve Officer