First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
First-line supervisors of police and detectives directly oversee and coordinate the daily activities of police officers and detective staff. They work in police departments, sheriff's offices, and other law enforcement agencies at the local, state, or federal level. These supervisors manage scheduling, assignments, performance, and ensure officers follow procedures and policies.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against first-line supervisors of police and detectives and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves reviewing incident reports, assigning officers to shifts and cases, and monitoring their progress on investigations or patrol duties. Supervisors conduct briefings, handle personnel issues like absences or complaints, and may respond to critical incidents themselves. They document activities, evaluate officer performance, and communicate between frontline staff and upper management. Administrative tasks like scheduling and budget tracking occupy significant time alongside field responsibilities.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECS. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to thrive in roles where you can organize systems and manage details, and you're comfortable making decisions that keep operations running smoothly. You enjoy leading teams and understand how to enforce rules fairly while motivating people to do their best work.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- LEAD DETECTIVE · Pacific Air Forces · Elmendorf AFB, Alaska · $83853–$104795
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $135,170 | $163,960 | $190,130 | 13,200 |
| New Jersey | $126,670 | $142,990 | $161,570 | 7,650 |
| Hawaii | $112,860 | $140,590 | $140,590 | 700 |
| Alaska | $100,040 | $137,320 | $170,250 | 320 |
| Washington | $125,800 | $136,280 | $161,310 | 2,750 |
| Illinois | $106,430 | $135,080 | $135,080 | 4,900 |
| District of Columbia | $108,810 | $134,760 | $195,190 | 1,230 |
| Nevada | $109,390 | $132,100 | $136,800 | 1,300 |
| Delaware | $114,100 | $131,080 | $163,650 | 410 |
| Colorado | $116,750 | $126,810 | $133,400 | 2,790 |
| New York | $100,200 | $124,080 | $150,080 | 12,750 |
| Oregon | $104,980 | $122,130 | $132,970 | 1,470 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- National Law Enforcement — Law and Public Safety Education Network
- Sartech III — National Association for Search and Rescue
- Certified Security Supervision & Management (CSSM) — International Foundation for Protection Officers
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against first-line supervisors of police and detectives and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 33-1012.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.