Understanding Command Hierarchies in Law Enforcement

Dr. Michael Beshears

The structure of law enforcement agencies typically includes a quasi-military organization used to promote efficient management and clear communication chains during a crisis. However, not all departments are identical, but the majority of agencies follow the same concept.

Police Commissioners -These positions are typically found in large cities. The commissioner sets the focus and type of policing that the agency will conduct. In smaller cities, the chief of police, often with input from the mayor, is the highest official.

Chief of Police (Chief Executive Officer (CEO), if there is not a Police Commissioner. The Chief of Police is considered by most observers to be either “locals” or “cosmopolitans”. A local chief is oriented to the issues and conditions of the hometown. A cosmopolitan chief is oriented to national issues and conditions of the police profession as a whole. As a figurehead, the chief is the one that a community looks to, to resolve problems in the community. In his leadership role, he motivates important workers to resolve the goals and needs of the department and community. In his liaison role, he is a spokesman for the department, to the City Council and for other meetings concerning budgeting finance issues involving the department. Unlike, the County Sheriff, the Chief of Police in a municipality is not an elected position. The city government i.e., Mayor, City Manager, as well as the City’s Board may each have input on whom is hired to be their Chief of Police (usually contractually) for a specified time, for example, one, two, or three years.

Deputy chiefs, as well as, chiefs themselves exhibit one of three career patterns:

Move-up — a pattern in which they are upwardly mobile, always seeking a raise in pay and position.
Move-on — a pattern in which they consistently move from department to department at the same job level, like “gypsy cops”.
Move-out — a pattern in which they are looking for second careers, like in teaching, private security, or business, anything other than policing.

(Division Commander) Agencies are divided into divisions, led by a division commander who is usually a major or a captain, depending upon the department’s size. The division commander decides the priorities of the division and allocates personnel and other resources, such as vehicles and overtime. Depending upon the division, he or she is the commander for incident management. In a patrol division, for example, he or she makes the final decision to conduct a manhunt or similar operation.

Majors (the ones most likely to be out of uniform most of the time, and not all police departments have them) tend to not only look and act like civilians but are concerned mostly with civilian-type duties, like budgeting, liaison with the city leaders, and so forth.

Captains (along with Chiefs and Corporals, i.e., the Field Training Officer (FTO)) tend to be the most important people in an officer’s career. They are bureau or shift commanders, especially in cases where the department’s size is too small to have Lieutenants. Nonetheless, the person may still be responsible for shift commander duties, if he or she is subordinate to a Major within the organization. In addition, they manage budgets very closely.

(Day-to-Day Operations: Shift Commanders) Lieutenants tend to be morale specialists. They don’t exercise regular supervision but are called in when an employee is having problems of some sort or another. Their talents and leadership come into play when something unexpected happens. They are responsible for the daily operations of their shift, whether patrol, detectives, or K9. They are usually responders to major incidents and are in command until the arrival of a senior officer. The shift commander also signs off on every function an officer does, and practically everything that’s done on their watch.

First-Line Supervision: Sergeants – Below the lieutenants are sergeants, the first-level supervisors, on a daily basis. They are responsible for making decisions in a particular section, or precinct, depending upon how the department is divided geographically. The sergeants conduct the normal activities of their section, as well as, provide guidance and instruction to the officers. They are either stationhouse-oriented or street-oriented, depending upon how much they have abandoned the patrol officer’s mentality. The sergeant rank is one of the most sought-after positions, and perhaps the hardest one to obtain if not gained by seniority alone.

Corporals and Field Training Officers (FTOs) – There are sometimes corporals, below the sergeant who are senior officers. They are routinely Field Training Officers, or FTOs, who are assigned a new office to train in policy, procedures, and the street-level knowledge that cannot be taught in the academy. Sometimes referred to as babysitters, as they are rewarded for their length of service by breaking in rookies or given other duties related to employee development. These are exceptionally noted, good officers, who play an important part in passing on information, and providing real-life training to new personnel.

Line Officers – These patrol officers are said to be the “backbone” of the force. This is literally where the so-called “Rubber Hits the Road”, in law enforcement, as these officers are the ones that have daily contact with the general public, as they protect and serve the community. With Community Policing, the police examine the businesses, as well as the community itself, find those problems, and resolve them before they become criminal in nature. The line officer is more than just a person who writes one a traffic ticket or responds to one’s home after crimes have been committed. The line officer looks for ways to eliminate the possibility/threat of a potential crime before it happens.

Line Officers must have good communication skills i.e., both verbal and written. The front-line officer must be able to communicate effectively with:

different ethnic groups within the community,
officers within their own department,
officers and employees of other agencies such as the prosecutor’s office, and
be able to articulate pertinent information in a trial.

Additionally, the line officer must be able to communicate effectively in writing. It should be noted that ninety percent of a police officer’s work is writing reports. Such reports are often critical in the successful prosecution of those that violate the law.

On a side note, the law enforcement environment presents some unique personnel issues for the line officer, as well as, complex management issues. Unlike an eight-to-five job in an office position, police officers endure unique stresses. Alcoholism, suicide, and divorce rates are higher in the law enforcement arena than in many other fields. Stress, for example, is a major issue in police work and must be addressed by each department.

There are few line officers who wish to spend an entire 20-year career in a patrol car. The majority of officers desire to be promoted or gain assignments as a detective, K9 officer, S.W.A.T. member, or training officer. The law enforcement leader must be aware of the abilities, education, and skills of officers and maintain a “big picture” mentality when it comes to training opportunities. Careers and assignments are important to line officers, and effective management of careers is a boost to morale and the overall well-being of the agency.

Dr. Michael Beshears

Dr. Beshears has an associate degree in general studies and a dual baccalaureate degree in criminal justice and psychology from Drury University. In addition, he has three graduate degrees, one in criminology from Indiana State University and another in health services management from Webster University. Plus, an additional 18 graduate hours in public administration. His Ph.D. is in business with a specialization in criminal justice from Northcentral University. Dr. Beshears after 22 years of honorable service retired from the United States Army in 1998, at the rank of Master Sergeant. While on active duty he was the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year at 2 different commands and an Army Leadership Academy Honor Graduate. As a civilian, he has worked with the local sheriff’s department, state drug task force, and FBI. Dr. Beshears has acquired over 20 years of teaching experience in the traditional and online teaching environment. He has an extensive background and first-hand experience in online andragogy instruction, as one of the first Internet (online) course developers and instructors. Since 1994, he has instructed 10,000+ online and traditional students in criminal justice, corrections, and management. He has mentored numerous colleagues in the skills required to instruct online while promoting student success. Dr. Beshears resides with his wife Dr. Michelle Beshears, their son Hunter, and daughter Malia near Norfork and Bull Shoals Lakes, in Clarkridge, Arkansas. He also has three beautiful grown daughters Michele, Cora, and Mollye.