What does a Police Captain do?
Published 3 min read
A police captain is a high-ranking officer in a police department. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department and for supervising the officers under their command.
Police Captain job duties include:
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of police personnel
- Plan, direct, and coordinate law enforcement activities and operations
- Develop policies, procedures, and programs
- Select and train new police officers
- Evaluate the performance of police personnel
- Investigate complaints against police officers
- Prepare reports and maintain records
- Plan and direct police investigations
- Analyze crime data to develop strategies for crime prevention
Police Captain Job Requirements
Police Captains must have a minimum of a four-year degree in police science, public administration, or a related field. Many agencies also require completion of a graduate degree program. In addition, candidates must have several years of experience as a police officer and have completed a certified law enforcement training program. Some agencies may also require that candidates possess a valid driver’s license.
Police Captain Skills
- Law enforcement
- Leadership
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Decision-making skills
- Stress management skills
- Conflict resolution skills
- Negotiation skills
Related: Top Police Captain Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Police Captain
There are a few steps that one must take in order to become a police captain. The first is to become a police officer. This usually requires completing a police academy and working as an officer for a few years. Once you have gained some experience, you can then apply to be a detective. After working as a detective for a while, you can then apply to be a police captain. The requirements to be a police captain vary from department to department, but usually include several years of experience as an officer and/or detective, and often require completion of additional training.
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