CFChooseField
Public Safety

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
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Median pay

$105,980
Median annual pay for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

10,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

160,800
Estimated U.S. employment for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+4,600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience; Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Law and Government
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Administration and Management
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Psychology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Written Comprehension
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Inductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Leadership Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Self-Control
  6. 6Cautiousness

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Telephone Conversations
  2. 2E-Mail
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
  • Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
  • Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
  • Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
  • Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
  • Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
  • Train staff in proper police work procedures.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Visio · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASP · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyComputer aided composite drawing softwareSmartDraw LegalScheduling softwareNational Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.