First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

What the job really is

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

At a glance

• Sector: Protective Service
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-1012
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

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

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Word, 35 millimeter cameras, Audio recording equipment, Automated external defibrillators AED, Base station radios

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators
• First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
• First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
• Transit and Railroad Police
• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
• First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.