Occupation Details
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
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Interests
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$93,860.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$114,600.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$153,640.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
14,370
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
16,420
+205 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,178
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Public Safety and Security
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
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology
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
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
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
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 35 millimeter cameras
- Audio recording equipment
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Base station radios
- Biohazard suits
- Body armor
- Breathalyzers
- Bulletproof vests
- Crime scene tape measures
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Digital video cameras
- Distance measuring wheels
- Drug testing kits
- Explosive detectors
- Filter masks
- Fingerprint evidence kits
- Fingerprint scanners
- First aid kits
- Laptop computers
- Metal detectors
- Metal handcuffs
- Mobile data computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Multipurpose fire extinguishers
- Nightsticks
- Noise meters
- Pepper spray
- Personal computers
- Plastic handcuffs
Technology
- Computer aided composite drawing software
- Computer aided dispatch software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Crime mapping software
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
- Email software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- Scheduling software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- develop budgets
- account for or dispense funds
- requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
- apply appropriate physical restraint
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- testify in court for accident and criminal cases
- analyze existing evidence or facts
- explain rules, policies or regulations
- explain work orders, specifications, or work techniques to workers
- operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
- oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
- inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
- schedule employee work hours
- conduct training for personnel
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- direct collection, preparation, or handling of evidence
- manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
- prepare reports
- use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
- use interviewing procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use conflict resolution techniques
- use knowledge of geographic coordinates
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- follow law enforcement methods or procedures
- compile biological data for criminal investigations
- conduct legal searches or investigations
- manage community relations for law enforcement agency
- cooperate with court personnel or other law enforcement agencies
- communicate details in protective services settings
- make public presentations on law enforcement issues
- make presentations
- discipline staff for infractions of rules or regulations
- assign work to staff or employees
- evaluate performance of employees or contract personnel
- monitor worker performance
- resolve personnel problems or grievances
- resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
- maintain daily logs or records
- read maps
- gather physical evidence
- enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
- apprehend or arrest suspect or perpetrator of criminal act
- make decisions
- reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Train staff in proper police work procedures.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Cooperate with court personnel and officials from other law enforcement agencies and testify in court, as necessary.
- Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
- Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
- Conduct raids and order detention of witnesses and suspects for questioning.
- Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Direct release or transfer of prisoners.
- Prepare budgets and manage expenditures of department funds.
- Inspect facilities, supplies, vehicles, and equipment to ensure conformance to standards.
- Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures.
- Meet with civic, educational, and community groups to develop community programs and events, and to discuss law enforcement subjects.
- Prepare news releases and respond to police correspondence.
- Requisition and issue equipment and supplies.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Police and detectives
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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