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First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives is the O*NET name for people who directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force. The strongest interest signal is Enterprising (6.9 of 7), then Conventional (5.1) and Social, which gives it the code ECS. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to speaking, social perceptiveness, and reading comprehension as the ones to build. Expect to 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. It tends to suit people who want leading, persuading and making business decisions, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and social perceptiveness.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECS takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Captain
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • Detective Sergeant
  • Lieutenant
  • Patrol Sergeant

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.