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What does a Police Captain do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert
3 min read
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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)

Brenna Goyette

Brenna Goyette

Certified Professional Resume Writer & Career Expert

Passionate about helping professionals advance their careers.

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