Steps a Police Officer Takes to Become Chief

Becoming a police chief takes many years and numerous promotions after the initial position as patrol officer. Because each department only has one chief and that person might stay in the position for many years, a police officer might need to move to a different department to become chief.

First Step

Police officers begin their career as a patrol officer for at least two years, after which they can apply for promotions.

Rankings

Police departments have military-style rankings, and a typical career ladder might include moving up to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy or assistant chief and chief.

First Supervisory Position

A police sergeant is a basic supervisory position and the first ranking where an officer can become a detective. Responsibilities increase with each succeeding level.

Skipping Rankings

Police officers also can advance to chief more directly with enough experience, such as from lieutenant to chief, particularly if higher-ranking individuals do not want the additional responsibilities of becoming chief.

Classifications

Promotions are defined as an advance from one civil service classification to another, such as sergeant to lieutenant. Police officers also can move within a classification such as Sergeant I and Sergeant II for higher pay and additional responsibilities.

Career Ladder

Advancing to chief usually takes many years. An officer might spend five years on patrol, 10 years as sergeant, five years as lieutenant, two years as assistant chief and finally a promotion to police chief.