Police and detective supervisors manage police departments and the officers and detectives who work there.

Police and detective supervisors hold different ranks including:

• Police officer
• Sergeant
• Lieutenant
• Chief

Supervisors may manage a division within police departments, such as a drug, dispatch, or traffic division, or they may manage the entire department as the police chief. Regardless of rank or department, police and detective supervisors work together as a management team and have similar responsibilities.

Supervisors make sure the officers or detectives have the information and tools they need to do their job. They train staff in the proper procedures and methods. They keep them informed of changes in the law.

Supervisors plan and coordinate the activities of the division they manage. They assign tasks to staff. They make decisions about:

• How an investigation will operate
• What evidence will be collected
• Who to interview

Police and detective supervisors handle personnel complaints. They may solve disputes between coworkers or they may respond to complaints from the public. They conduct investigations if there are allegations of police misconduct.

Police and detective supervisors keep employment records for the officers they supervise. They monitor worker performance, conduct annual reviews, and make recommendations for promotions. They may need to demote or discipline officers. Some interview and hire new employees.

Supervisors work with the media and act as a public relations person for the department. Some give presentations to civic groups and schools.