U.S. Police: Police ranks in the United States

The largest police department in the USA is the New York City Police Department (NYPD). In this and all other departments in America, the following ranks exist:

• The Police Commissioner holds the highest rank in the department. There should be five badges on his uniform and he wears a police badge with the corresponding inscription.
• The First Deputy Commissioner acts as the Commissioner’s deputy. He is usually a civilian administrator.
• Subordinate to him is the Chief of Department. The latter wears four insignia on his uniform and a police badge with the corresponding inscription.
• Chief of Detectives and Chief of Patrol hold independent leadership positions that report directly to the Chief of Department. They do not report to the Bureau Chief.
• Next is the Bureau Chief. His uniform is adorned with three badges and he has a police badge with the corresponding rank inscription. Bureau Chiefs have different responsibilities depending on their area of operation (patrol, transit) and cannot be considered a separate unit.
• Next comes the Assistant Chief. His uniform has two badges. He also has a police badge.
• The Deputy Inspector is hierarchically subordinate to the Inspector. Nevertheless, he ranks at this point in the hierarchy.
• The Deputy Chief still has one badge on his uniform. His police badge shows his rank and the badge on his uniform.
• Next comes the Inspector. He wears one badge on his uniform. His badge is the same as that of the Deputy Chief, but without the badge.
• The Deputy Inspector also has a police badge, but it differs significantly from the others. The rank of the police officer can be seen here. The badge on the badge and uniform is also different.
• He is followed by the Captain. He wears a badge on his uniform and his rank is indicated on his police badge.
• The Lieutenant reports to the Captain. The uniform badge distinguishes him from his superior.
• The ordinary detectives, police officers, recruit officers and cadets do not wear rank badges on their uniforms. They only have a police badge with the corresponding inscription. The cadet is not yet issued a badge; he holds the lowest rank in the police force.
• The title “detective” does not represent a rank, but rather a specialization within the department. They are equal in rank to police officers.
• Probationary Officers are initially employed as police officers without full powers after their training in order to test their abilities and future potential.
• The badges on the uniforms and police badges may vary. Different ones are used in each US state. They can be stars, eagles, leaves, or other symbols.