Rank structure




Officers graduate from the Police Academy after five and a half to six months (or sometimes more) of training in various academic, physical, and tactical fields. For the first 18 months of their careers, they are designated as "Probationary Police Officers", or more informally, "rookies".

There are three career "tracks" in the NYPD: supervisory, investigative, and specialist. The supervisory track consists of nine ranks; promotion to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and captain are made via competitive civil service examinations. After reaching the rank of captain, promotion to the ranks of deputy inspector, inspector, deputy chief, assistant chief, (bureau) chief and chief of department is at the discretion of the police commissioner. Promotion from the rank of police officer to detective is discretionary by the police commissioner or required by law when the officer has performed eighteen months or more of investigative duty.

Badgesedit

Badges in the New York City Police Department are referred to as "shields" (the traditional term), though not all badge designs are strictly shield-shaped. Some officers have used "Pottsy" badges, "dupes," or duplicate badges, as officers are punished for losing their shield by also losing up to ten days' pay.

Every rank has a different badge design (with the exception of "police officer" and "probationary police officer") and, upon change in rank, officers receive a new badge. Lower-ranked police officers are identified by their shield numbers, and tax registry number. Lieutenants and above do not have shield numbers and are identified by tax registry number. All sworn members of the NYPD have their ID card photos taken against a red background. Civilian employees of the NYPD have their ID card photos taken against a blue background, signifying that they are not commissioned to carry a firearm. All ID cards have an expiration date.

Title Insignia Badge design Badge color Badge number Uniform
Chief of Department
4 Gold Stars.svg
Medallion with eagle, oak leaves and star(s) Gold, with silver star(s) No White shirt,
dark blue peaked cap,
gold hat badge
Bureau Chief
Bureau Chief Chaplain †

Department Chief Surgeon

3 Gold Stars.svg
Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief Chaplain †
Assistant Chief Surgeon
2 Gold Stars.svg
Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief Chaplain †
District Surgeon
1 Gold Star.svg
NYPD Deputy Chief Badge.png
Chaplain and Surgeon badges differ
Inspector
Chaplain †
Police Surgeon
Colonel Gold-vector.svg
NYPD Inspector Badge.png
Chaplain and Surgeon badges differ
Gold
Deputy Inspector
US-O4 insignia.svg
NYPD Deputy Inspector Badge.png
Captain
Captain insignia gold.svg
NPYD Captain Badge.png
Lieutenant
US-O1 insignia.svg
NYPD Lieutenant Badge.jpeg
Sergeant
NYPD Sergeant Stripes.svg
(sleeve)
NYPD Sergeant Badge.jpg Yes Navy blue shirt,
peaked cap,
gold hat badge
Detective (grades 3rd–1st) None Badge of a New York City Police Department detective.png
Police Officer Badge of the New York City Police Department.png Silver Yes,
matching hat badge
Navy blue shirt,
peaked cap,
silver hat badge with matching number
Probationary Police Officer
Recruit Officer Yes Slate grey,
black garrison cap
Cadet None

^ †: Uniform rank that has no police powers


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