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Career Details

33-1012.00 - First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives


Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
108,100
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
112,700
Estimate
Change in Employment
+4,500
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+4.2%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
  • Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
  • 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.
  • Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
  • Train staff in proper police work procedures.
  • Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
  • Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
  • Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
  • Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures.
  • Conduct raids and order detention of witnesses and suspects for questioning.
  • Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
  • Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
  • Cooperate with court personnel and officials from other law enforcement agencies and testify in court, as necessary.
  • Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
  • Inspect facilities, supplies, vehicles, and equipment to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Prepare news releases and respond to police correspondence.
  • Requisition and issue equipment and supplies.
  • Meet with civic, educational, and community groups to develop community programs and events, and to discuss law enforcement subjects.
Supplemental
  • Direct release or transfer of prisoners.
  • Prepare budgets and manage expenditures of department funds.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Law and Government
  • 97%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 95%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 English Language
  • 81%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Psychology
  • 81%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Administration and Management
  • 80%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 80%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 74%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 Education and Training
  • 74%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Sociology and Anthropology
  • 64%
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
 Telecommunications
  • 64%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Clerical
  • 63%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 62%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Communications and Media
  • 62%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Therapy and Counseling
  • 58%
    Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
 Transportation
  • 54%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Mathematics
  • 53%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Pyrotechnics
  • Road flares
 Safety and rescue vehicles
  • Police motorcycles
  • Police patrol cars
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Crime scene tape measures
 Dispensing tools
  • Pepper spray
 Emergency medical services resuscitation products
  • Automated external defibrillators AED
 Personal communication devices
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Base station radios
  • Two way radios
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Mobile data computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
 Computer data input devices
  • Fingerprint scanners
 Teletype equipment
  • Teletype terminals
 Cameras
  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital video cameras
 Firearms
  • Police shotguns
  • Police rifles
  • Semiautomatic handguns
  • Semiautomatic pistols
  • Service revolvers
 Crowd control equipment
  • Riot shields
  • Body armor
  • Side-handle batons
 Security and control equipment
  • Metal handcuffs
  • Plastic handcuffs
  • Nightsticks
  • Breathalyzers
  • Explosive detectors
  • Drug testing kits
 Forensic equipment and supplies and accessories
  • Fingerprint evidence kits
  • Suspect fingerprinting equipment
 Traffic control
  • Remote traffic signal controllers
 Safety apparel
  • Bulletproof vests
  • Biohazard suits
 Fire fighting equipment
  • Multipurpose fire extinguishers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Business function specific software
  • Computer aided dispatch software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Computer aided composite drawing software
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
  • The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Scheduling software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
  • Law enforcement information databases
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • National Crime Information Center NCIC database
  • National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
  • Spillman Technologies Records Management
 Development software
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASPHOT
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • Crime mapping software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Peirce College
Jobs
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