Article
In military or paramilitary organizations, such as police departments, a hierarchical organization of personnel exists, often called the chain of command.
The general rankings within a police force, depending on its size, is as follows, in order from highest to lowest rankings:
- Chief
- Deputy/Assistant Chief
- Commander
- Inspector
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- Sergeant
- Trooper
- Police Officer
Photo Credit
"Beverly Lennen, police officer and future police chief, 1990," photograph, The Santa Fe New Mexican (HP.2014.14.2598). Palace of the Governors Photo Archive, New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe. All rights reserved. Use with permission only.
Published Works
Term Type
Manuscripts
Manuscript Occurrences
References
References
Chambers, John Whiteclay, and Fred Anderson
1999 The Oxford Companion to American Military History. New York: Oxford University
Press.