How You Can Expect Your Career as a Police Officer to Advance

Going into law enforcement is a great career path for many reasons. One of the most overlooked ones being the potential for good police officers to climb the chain of command.



For police forces to be effective, it’s vital to have a proper working command structure. Officers who have proven themselves on the job can move their way up the ranks. While not every police career path is identical, it is still useful to consider a general timeline of what you can expect career advancement will look like for you.

Your First Year

After you’ve made it through the academy, you will work your first year as a patrol officer. This year will present a wealth of learning opportunities, as you will be expected to make decisions on your own.

Understand that you will probably be on probation during your first year, and your supervisor will be watching you closely to assess whether you’re doing your job right.

Specialty Positions: Lateral Moves

While departmental policies certainly vary, you can expect to move laterally into a specialty post after about a year or two following your probationary year.

Some of these specialty posts include positions in a K-9 unit, becoming an investigator or detective, joining SWAT, becoming a training officer, and several other positions.

Climbing the Ladder: Sergeant

Taking your first step into supervisory positions comes anywhere between 5 and 10 years as a police officer. You’ll supervise police officers as a sergeant. This includes inspecting their uniforms and cars, monitoring their calls, providing guidance and advice on handling situations, and disciplining them for mistakes and oversights.


 

Middle Management

Once you’re a sergeant, getting promoted is easier because it is all dependent on your performance. You can expect to spend no more than a few years at any particular rank. The next ranks on the table are lieutenant, followed by captain. These are generally considered to be middle management ranks.

Commanding Ranks

In order to be eligible for a command level rank, you will need to work hard in middle management and make your way into one of many law enforcement leadership programs. Police departments’ upper managers typically have anywhere from 15 to 25 years of experience on the job.

Making Chief

A police department chief is the highest-ranking officer that is ultimately responsible for how the department’s officers perform. Of course, making chief requires several years on the job and an impressive resume.

 

Prepare for the Suffolk County Police test with the experts at Civil Service Success.

Civil Service Success has successfully been preparing candidates for the Suffolk County Police exams since the 1960s. Visit their website for more information or call 631-218-0889.

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