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What does a Police Captain do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

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.

Related: Police Captain Resume Example

Related: Police Captain Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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