About ranks

Police Officer l Class

The first step in the career ladder with the NYPD is Police Officer I. It is the entry-level classification given to all NYPD officers upon entering the Police Academy. For 1 week in the Police Academy, officers are taught criminal law skills, 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 4 week period.

Police Officer ll Class

After graduating from the Police Academy, a Police Officer I is assigned to a geographic patrol division within the New York City 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.

Police Officer lll Class

With three years of experience as a Police Officer II, officers advance to the next step in the promotional ladder, Police Officer III. A Police Officer III is responsible for enforcing laws and ordinances; protecting life and property; issuing citations, making arrests, preparing reports; meeting with community members; working as a team member; and providing information to the public and departmental units. This position may also supervise as a Field Training Officer.

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.

LIEUTENANT I

After serving 4 months as a Sergeant, one is 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. They are in-charge of a specialized division or section, where he or she 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 LSPD. 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 6 months as a Lieutenant, one 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 his or her 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 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 within the City of Los Santos; 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 his/her 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 to New York City; and, proposing new or amending existing legislation which could have an impact on law enforcement.