Career development

Ranks and Specialized Assignments

A clear reference for rank progression and unit opportunities. Current vacancies and Letters of Intent are managed inside the member portal.

General Order 13-02

Promotion eligibility

Eligibility is measured by full duty hours and completed shifts logged in the member's current rank. Meeting the minimum permits consideration; it does not guarantee selection.

Target rank or assignment	Minimum hours	Completed shifts	Selection
Probationary Police Officer to Police Officer	5 hours	5 shifts	FTO release
Police Officer to Detective	20 hours	10 shifts	Packet, exam, and board
Police Officer to Sergeant	20 hours	10 shifts	Packet, exam, and board
Sergeant to Lieutenant	25 hours as Sergeant	15 shifts	Packet, exam, and board
Lieutenant to Captain	25 hours as Lieutenant	20 shifts	Packet and board
Captain to Commander	30 hours as Captain	25 shifts	Packet and command board
Any rank to Deputy Chief	Superintendent discretion	Not applicable	Executive appointment
Any rank to Chief	Superintendent discretion	Not applicable	Executive appointment
Any rank to Deputy or First Deputy Superintendent	Superintendent discretion	Not applicable	Executive appointment

Rank progression

Promotions require an approved vacancy and the department selection process for that level.

Police Officer

Sworn, non-supervisory

Field training release

Detective

Investigative assignment and pay grade

Competitive selection

Sergeant

First-line supervisor

Competitive promotion

Lieutenant

Watch or unit command

Competitive promotion

Captain

District or division executive

Competitive promotion

Commander

District or division command

Executive appointment

Deputy Chief

Area or citywide group command

Executive appointment

Chief

Bureau command

Executive appointment

Deputy Superintendent

Department executive leadership

Executive appointment

First Deputy Superintendent

Chief operating executive

Executive appointment

Superintendent of Police

Department head

Executive appointment

Specialized assignments

A unit assignment changes where a member serves. It does not automatically change their permanent rank.

HomicideRobberyViolent CrimesNarcoticsGang and Narcotics DivisionIntelligenceCrime LaboratoryCrime Scene ProcessingMajor AccidentsTrafficPublic Safety TeamSWATAviationCanine (K-9)Dignitary ProtectionField Training OfficerTraining Academy InstructorRecruitmentInternal AffairsPublic Information Office

Members

Apply through Careers

Open positions, Letters of Intent, supervisor recommendations, and final decisions are tracked in the portal.

Open Careers

Rank progression

POLICE OFFICER

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Overview

The Police Officer is the foundation of the Department and the rank the public deals with most. Every specialized assignment and every command rank in this manual is built on competence earned here. A Probationary Police Officer holds the same rank with restricted authority until released from field training under GO 12-01.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT A new officer should feel the difference between being trained and being trusted. Solo release is a real milestone, so treat probation as mentorship rather than hazing and let the recruit make survivable mistakes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Patrol an assigned beat, answer calls for service and conduct preliminary investigation.Conduct lawful stops, detentions, searches and arrests under GO 06-01 and GO 08-01.Complete accurate, timely reports under GO 10-01 and submit evidence under GO 11-01.Maintain radio discipline and respond to assist calls under GO 05-01.Treat civilians as participants in a scene, not obstacles to an arrest.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Attend roll call and take a beat assignment rather than free-roaming.Clear calls with an accurate disposition before taking a new assignment.Ask for a supervisor when a scene exceeds your authority or training.Accept correction from an FTO or supervisor without argument on scene.

RELEASE FROM PROBATION

Complete the Academy and all phases of the Field Training and Evaluation Program.Log a minimum of 5 hours and 5 completed shifts under an assigned FTO.Receive a passing final FTO evaluation in officer safety, law and policy, radio, driving, public interaction and report writing.Receive a written solo-release recommendation from the FTO and Training Division approval.Probationary status may continue after solo release for performance monitoring.

CAREER PATHS FROM POLICE OFFICER

Detective under Chapter 2, for members drawn to investigation and case work.Sergeant under Chapter 3, for members drawn to supervision and leadership.Specialized assignment under Part II while remaining a Police Officer, including Traffic, Major Accidents, Public Safety Team, K-9, SWAT and Field Training Officer.

Rank progression

DETECTIVE

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Overview

Detective is an investigative assignment and pay grade under the Bureau of Detectives. A Detective carries case responsibility from assignment through disposition, but holds no supervisory authority over patrol officers. Detectives are assigned to a specific investigative unit selected at the time of application.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT The packet exists so investigators arrive already able to write. Two real reports tell a board more than any interview, and the letter of intent means a detective shows up with a stated interest instead of being dropped into whichever unit is short.

PROMOTION PACKET

The packet is submitted on the Promotion Packet Cover Sheet (Form 1) through the applicant’s chain of command to the Bureau of Detectives. Every item is required.Letter of Intent stating the applicant’s intent to promote to Detective and naming the investigative unit requested as first and second choice, with the reason for each. See Form 2 for the template and worked example.Two completed arrest reports authored by the applicant, each resulting in a physical arrest, demonstrating a clear statement of probable cause, an accurate narrative and correct evidence handling.Supervisor Recommendation (Form 3) from the applicant’s immediate Sergeant, addressing report quality, judgment and reliability.Background review. Internal Affairs conducts this review directly; the applicant does not submit it.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Elements of the offenses most commonly charged in the city, and what facts must be proven for each.Search and seizure: warrant requirements, consent, exigency and search incident to arrest.Interview and interrogation, including rights advisement before custodial questioning.Chain of custody, evidence packaging and crime scene preservation under GO 11-01.Report construction: what a reader must be able to reconstruct from your narrative alone.A written practical: given a fact pattern, state your investigative plan and the probable cause you would rely on.

ORAL BOARD

The board is chaired by a Detective Lieutenant or above with two additional members, at least one from the requested unit. The applicant appears in uniform and answers in character as their officer.

ASSIGNMENT AND PROBATION

On board approval, the Superintendent’s promotion approval memorandum (Form 8) is issued and the member is assigned to an investigative unit based on board ranking, unit vacancy and the applicant’s stated preference.The new Detective serves a probationary period of 5 hours in the assigned unit, working cases under a designated field partner or Detective Sergeant.A Detective who fails probation returns to Police Officer at the prior district without loss of standing, and may reapply after 10 additional hours.Reassignment between investigative units after probation is requested on Form 7 and depends on a vacancy existing in the receiving unit.

Overview

★ DETECTIVE ORAL BOARD QUESTIONS “Walk this board through a homicide from the moment you arrive on scene to the moment you have a warrant. Tell us who you call and in what order.”“You are the first detective on a shooting scene. Patrol has already moved the victim and two officers have walked through the blood trail. What do you do now, and what do you put in your report about it?”“A confidential informant gives you an address for a narcotics stash house. What do you have, what do you not have, and what do you need before anyone goes through that door?”“You interview a suspect who asks for a lawyer twelve minutes in. Your case is thin. What happens next?”“A patrol officer’s arrest report contradicts what you saw on the scene footage. How do you handle that officer, and how do you handle the case file?”“Why this unit, and what do you bring to it that the detective sitting next to you does not?”

Rank progression

SERGEANT

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Overview

Sergeant is the first supervisory rank and the most consequential promotion in the Department. A Sergeant runs scenes, approves discretionary decisions, reviews reports, corrects officers and sets the tone of a watch. Most members experience Department policy through their Sergeant rather than through this manual.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT The stripes should go to the member other officers already listen to. A Sergeant who cannot correct a friend on scene will not hold a watch together, so the board should test judgment under pressure rather than policy recitation.

PROMOTION PACKET

Submitted on Form 1 through the chain of command to the district Commander.Letter of Intent stating the applicant’s supervisory philosophy in their own words and the district or watch requested.Leadership portfolio containing five completed arrest or incident reports authored by the applicant, at least one involving use of force and at least one involving a pursuit or vehicle stop that escalated.Three performance evaluations or documented supervisor observations from within the current rank.Two written examples of correction or mentorship the applicant provided to another officer, describing the situation, what was said and the outcome.Supervisor Recommendation (Form 3) and Command Recommendation (Form 4) from the district Lieutenant or Commander.Background review from Internal Affairs.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Use of force review under GO 09-01: what a supervisor must do, in order, after a force incident.Pursuit authorization and termination under GO 07-01, including the 60-second authorization requirement and the four-officer limit.Report review: legal sufficiency, contradictions and what a supervisor may and may not change.Complaint intake and the line between coaching and a formal Internal Affairs referral under GO 14-01.Roll call, watch assignment and district coverage under GO 03-01.Incident command for a scene that outgrows a single unit under GO 17-01.

PRACTICAL SCENARIO ASSESSMENT

The applicant supervises a live or tabletop scenario before the board. Assessors score scene control, radio discipline, resource allocation, force review and the clarity of the applicant’s direction to subordinates. Typical scenarios include an armed robbery in progress that becomes a pursuit, a force complaint made on scene by a civilian, and a two-officer disagreement in front of the public.

PROBATION

A new Sergeant serves 10 hours probationary supervision with a mentoring Lieutenant.Performance is reviewed at 5 hours and at the close of probation.A Sergeant who cannot supervise will be returned to Police Officer under GO 13-01 without a misconduct finding. Sergeants are the backbone of this agency and failure is not an option. Sergeants will be held accountable for their officers and are expected to lead by example and hold officers accountable.

Overview

★ SERGEANT ORAL BOARD QUESTIONS “You arrive at a scene where one of your officers has a suspect on the ground and is still striking him. Tell us exactly what you do and in what order.”“A citizen flags you down and says the officer who just left the scene threatened him. That officer is your best worker. Walk us through it.”“Two of your officers are arguing in front of a crowd of civilians. What do you do in the first ten seconds, and what do you do after the scene clears?”“An officer initiates a pursuit for a stolen vehicle and calls for authorization. Traffic is heavy and it is raining. Talk us through your decision.”“You read a report that does not match the arrest you watched. The officer insists it is accurate. What are your options and which do you choose?”“Your watch is short three officers and dispatch is holding six calls. How do you assign your people?”“Tell us about a time you corrected another officer. What did you say, and what changed afterward?”

Rank progression

LIEUTENANT

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Overview

A Lieutenant commands a watch, manages a unit or section and answers for what happens on the street during their hours. The rank shifts a member from supervising officers to supervising supervisors, from running scenes to planning them.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT A Lieutenant should be judged on whether a watch runs well when they are the one holding it, not on how well they personally handle a call. The operational plan gives the board something concrete to push on.

PROMOTION PACKET

Submitted on Form 1 to the district Commander with a copy to the Office of the First Deputy Superintendent.Letter of Intent naming the watch, unit or section requested.Leadership portfolio documenting supervisory work as a Sergeant: force reviews conducted, pursuits authorized or terminated, complaints handled, officers mentored and reports corrected.Written Operational Plan for a real problem in the applicant’s district, prepared under GO 17-01 and stating objective, command structure, units required, communications, rules of engagement, arrest processing, medical support and contingencies.One documented instance of subordinate development, showing an officer or Sergeant who improved under the applicant.Command Recommendation (Form 4) from the district Commander.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Incident command and unified command under GO 17-01 and GO 18-01.Watch staffing, district coverage and resource allocation.Administrative review of force, pursuit and complaint files, and what must be forwarded to command.Critical incident notification: what triggers a command call, and to whom.Discipline proportionality under GO 14-01, including when coaching is no longer sufficient.

WATCH COMMANDER ASSESSMENT

The applicant serves as acting watch commander for a designated watch under observation by a Captain or Commander. Assessment covers roll call quality, assignment decisions, supervision of Sergeants, handling of a major incident, information flow to command and end-of-watch handover.

STAFF INTERVIEW

Conducted by the district Commander and one member of the Office of the First Deputy Superintendent. The applicant presents their Operational Plan and defends it.

Overview

★ LIEUTENANT STAFF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS “Present your operational plan. Tell us what problem you chose, why, and how you would know in two weeks whether it worked.”“Robberies in your district are up sharply and your officers are getting frustrated. What do you actually do with the people you have?”“One of your Sergeants is not correcting his officers because he wants to be liked. How do you fix that Sergeant?”“An officer-involved shooting happens on your watch. Take us through your first ten minutes as watch commander.”“Your district is holding calls citywide because half your watch is at one scene. Who do you pull off, and how do you tell that scene commander?”“A Sergeant and a Detective are in conflict over a case and it is affecting the watch. How do you resolve it?”

Rank progression

CAPTAIN

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Overview

The Captain is the executive officer of a district or specialized division. Where a Lieutenant owns a watch, a Captain owns the district across all watches: staffing, standards, training follow-through, discipline consistency and the readiness of the Lieutenants beneath them.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT Captain is where a member stops fixing individual scenes and starts fixing a district. The management plan keeps the interview honest, because a board can tell in five minutes whether an applicant has actually looked at their own district.

PROMOTION PACKET

Submitted on Form 1 to the Office of the First Deputy Superintendent through the district Commander.Letter of Intent naming the district or division requested.District Management Plan covering staffing across watches, coverage gaps, training priorities, discipline consistency, equipment and vehicle accountability, and measurable objectives for the first 10 hours in rank.Command Philosophy statement in the applicant’s own words, addressing how they will hold supervisors accountable and how they will keep officers willing to work.Documented record as a Lieutenant: watches commanded, major incidents managed, operational plans executed and supervisors developed.Command Recommendation (Form 4) from the district Commander and concurrence of the applicable Bureau Chief.

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW

Conducted by the First Deputy Superintendent or designee with the applicable Bureau Chief. The applicant presents the District Management Plan and answers on staffing, accountability and morale.

STANDARDS OF THE RANK

Consistency of discipline across watches within the district.Readiness and development of Lieutenants and Sergeants.Compliance with reporting, evidence and force review requirements.Coverage maintained during major incidents and special events.

Overview

★ CAPTAIN EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS “Present your district management plan. What is the single biggest problem in your district right now?”“Morale is low and proactive work has dropped off, but you also need violent crime down. How do you do both?”“Two of your Lieutenants handle the same violation completely differently. How do you get consistency without micromanaging them?”“A Sergeant in your district has three complaints in a short period, none sustained. What do you do?”“How do you know your officers are actually following policy, rather than telling you they are?”

Rank progression

COMMANDER

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Overview

A Commander holds command of a police district, a division or a citywide specialized command. The Commander answers directly for crime, conduct and coverage in that command, and is the last competitively promoted rank in the Department.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT A Commander should arrive with a plan the Department can actually hold them to. Presenting a vision in front of executive command makes the promotion feel earned and gives the server a storyline for that district.

PROMOTION PACKET

Submitted on Form 1 to the Office of the First Deputy Superintendent.Letter of Intent naming the district, division or command requested.Strategic Command Vision: a written plan for the requested command covering crime reduction, personnel development, community trust, resource allocation and measurable objectives.Citywide operational planning example: an operation the applicant planned or commanded that involved more than one district or unit, with the after-action outcome.Record of district command experience as a Captain or acting Commander.Command Recommendation (Form 4) from the applicable Bureau Chief or Deputy Chief.

COMMAND BOARD AND PRESENTATION

The applicant presents the Strategic Command Vision to a board consisting of the First Deputy Superintendent, the applicable Bureau Chief and one Deputy Chief. The presentation is followed by questioning. Final approval rests with the Superintendent.

STANDARDS OF THE RANK

Crime, conduct and coverage results within the command.Quality of the Captains and Lieutenants developed under the applicant.Coordination with other districts, bureaus and outside agencies.Public confidence in the command, in coordination with the Communications Division under GO 15-01.

Overview

★ COMMANDER COMMAND BOARD QUESTIONS “Present your strategic vision for this command. What will be different in this district in one month?”“You inherit a district with high crime and a demoralized watch. What are your first three decisions?”“A high-profile incident in your district draws public attention and criticism. Walk us through your response, including what goes to the Communications Division.”“You have a Captain who produces results but generates complaints. How do you handle it?”“Two units under your command are competing over the same investigation. How do you settle it?”“What would make you tell this board that a member under your command is not ready for promotion?”

Rank progression

DEPUTY CHIEF

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Overview

A Deputy Chief serves as second in command of a bureau or commands a geographic area or citywide operational group. From this rank upward, positions are appointed rather than competitively promoted.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT Executive ranks should feel like appointments, not the next square on a board. Announcing them publicly gives the server a reason to notice a change in command.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

The applicable Bureau Chief or the First Deputy Superintendent nominates a member in writing, stating the operational need and the nominee’s record. There is no rank prerequisite; the Superintendent may appoint a member of any rank.The Office of the Superintendent conducts a leadership review covering command results, integrity, judgment, coordination with other commands and the quality of subordinates developed.Internal Affairs provides a complete conduct history.The nominee interviews with the Superintendent.Appointment is issued by the Superintendent on Form 8 and announced by the Communications Division under GO 16-01.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Command an area, citywide group or bureau function as assigned.Supervise Commanders and hold them to measurable standards.Represent the bureau in citywide planning and critical incident command under GO 17-01 and GO 18-01.Advise the Bureau Chief and the Superintendent on operational policy.

TENURE AND RETURN

A Deputy Chief serves at the pleasure of the Superintendent and may be returned to their previously held rank without a misconduct finding when the Department’s needs change.

Rank progression

CHIEF

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Overview

A Chief commands a major bureau of the Department, such as the Bureau of Patrol, the Bureau of Detectives or the Bureau of Counterterrorism. The Chief owns bureau-wide policy execution, staffing and results.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT Bureau chiefs give the Department visible senior figures who own outcomes. Keeping the number small keeps the rank meaningful.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

The Superintendent identifies the bureau need and may consider any member of the Department. There is no rank prerequisite for appointment.A leadership review is conducted covering bureau-level judgment, integrity, planning ability and the candidate’s record of developing others.The candidate presents a bureau plan to the Superintendent and First Deputy Superintendent.Appointment is issued by the Superintendent on Form 8.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Execute Department policy across the assigned bureau and report results to the Superintendent.Recommend General Order revisions arising from bureau operations.Assign and evaluate Deputy Chiefs and Commanders within the bureau.Serve in unified command for citywide critical incidents.

Rank progression

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

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Overview

A Deputy Superintendent is appointed by the Superintendent to manage a major operational or administrative area of the Department, such as constitutional policing and reform, administration or a group of bureaus.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT This rank is where policy direction lives. Use it for the storylines that shape the Department as a whole rather than a single district.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

The Superintendent designates the area of responsibility.Candidates may be drawn from any rank in the Department at the sole discretion of the Superintendent.Selection considers policy judgment, integrity, executive discipline and the ability to speak for the Superintendent’s direction, without regard to the member’s current rank.Appointment is issued by the Superintendent on Form 8 and published under GO 16-01.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct the assigned area and the Chiefs reporting to it.Represent the Superintendent in executive matters as delegated.Own major reform, accountability or administrative initiatives.Serve in the order of succession as designated by the Superintendent.

Rank progression

FIRST DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

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Overview

The First Deputy Superintendent commands the Office of Operations and oversees the Department’s major operational bureaus, including the Bureau of Patrol, the Bureau of Detectives and the Bureau of Counterterrorism. The First Deputy is the second-ranking member of the Department and normally first in the order of succession.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT The First Deputy is the operational voice of the Department. Keeping succession clear prevents confusion when the Superintendent is offline.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

The Superintendent may select any member of the Department. There is no rank prerequisite for appointment.Selection weighs operational command record, executive judgment, integrity and the ability to run the Department in the Superintendent’s absence.Appointment is issued by the Superintendent on Form 8 and published department-wide.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct the Office of Operations and the bureaus assigned to it.Approve citywide operational plans and special event commands under GO 17-01.Chair or designate command boards for Captain and Commander promotions.Assume the duties of the Superintendent when that office is vacant or the Superintendent is unavailable.

Rank progression

SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

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Overview

The Superintendent of Police is the highest-ranking member of the Chicago Police Department and is appointed directly by the Mayor of Chicago. The Superintendent sets executive direction, approves General Orders, appoints command and administrative leadership and answers for the Department to the City.

Overview

★ ROLEPLAY INTENT The top of the ladder should be visibly accountable to someone outside the Department. Tying the appointment to the Mayor gives the server a civilian check on police leadership and a ready source of conflict.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

The Mayor identifies the need and considers candidates from executive command service.The candidate presents a vision for the Department to the Mayor’s office.Appointment is made by the Mayor and announced publicly through the Communications Division under GO 16-01.The outgoing Superintendent conducts a documented transition of command, open investigations and pending policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish executive direction and approve all General Orders.Appoint the First Deputy Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs.Serve as final approving authority for competitive promotions and for discipline above the bureau level.Represent the Department publicly and to City government.

Specialized assignment

HOMICIDE

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MISSION

Investigates all death investigations, shootings with life-threatening injury and suspicious deaths citywide, from the initial scene through case disposition. Homicide holds the Department’s most demanding case load and its longest investigations.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Homicide as first choice, stating the applicant’s investigative approach.Two completed investigative reports demonstrating witness canvass, evidence submission and case development.One report demonstrating a scene the applicant preserved and documented.Detective Sergeant recommendation and unit commander concurrence.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Detective examination passed.Crime scene preservation and evidence handling under GO 11-01.Interview and interrogation, including rights advisement.Death investigation and medical examiner coordination.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Homicide unit commander and one senior Homicide detective. Questions focus on scene discipline, witness handling and case documentation.

TRAINING

Assigned to a senior detective for the first three cases. Required to observe one full scene process with the Crime Lab before working a primary.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least two cases carried as primary. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for repeated failure to document, mishandled evidence, or inability to carry a case beyond the arrest. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

ROBBERY

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MISSION

Investigates armed robbery, home invasion, carjacking and commercial robbery patterns, with emphasis on linking related offenses across districts and identifying repeat crews.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Robbery as first choice.Two completed arrest reports involving a violent felony.One supplemental report showing follow-up beyond the initial arrest.Detective Sergeant recommendation.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Detective examination passed.Pattern analysis and case linkage.Photo array and lineup procedure.Search warrant preparation.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Robbery unit commander and one senior detective. Questions focus on victim and witness handling and identification procedure.

TRAINING

Two weeks paired with a unit detective, including one warrant preparation and one lineup.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least three cases carried as primary. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for identification procedure violations or failure to work a pattern to conclusion. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

VIOLENT CRIMES

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MISSION

Investigates aggravated assault and battery, kidnapping, sexual assault and other serious crimes against persons not assigned to Homicide, with emphasis on victim-centered investigation.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Violent Crimes as first choice.Two completed arrest reports involving a crime against a person.One report demonstrating a trauma-informed victim interview.Detective Sergeant recommendation.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Detective examination passed.Victim-centered and trauma-informed interviewing.Evidence collection in person-crime cases.Protective order and follow-up procedure.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the unit commander and one senior detective. Questions focus on victim credibility, cooperation and case building without a cooperating victim.

TRAINING

Paired assignment for the first three cases, including one case with an uncooperative victim.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least three cases carried as primary. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for insensitive victim handling or chronic case abandonment. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

NARCOTICS

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MISSION

Investigates narcotics manufacture, distribution and trafficking, develops informants and conducts controlled operations and search warrants against distribution networks.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Narcotics as first choice.Two completed arrest reports involving controlled substances.One report demonstrating a lawful search and correct evidence submission.Detective Sergeant recommendation and unit commander concurrence.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Detective examination passed.Search warrant preparation and execution.Informant handling and documentation.Controlled buy and surveillance procedure.Evidence and currency handling under GO 11-01.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Narcotics unit commander, one senior detective and one supervisor from outside the unit. Questions focus on informant integrity and warrant sufficiency.

TRAINING

Surveillance and buy-operation training, one observed warrant execution and one supervised informant meeting.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least two controlled operations completed. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for informant mishandling, evidence or currency discrepancies, or unauthorized operations. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

GANG AND NARCOTICS DIVISION

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MISSION

Operates within the Bureau of Counterterrorism to investigate gangs, narcotics activity and related criminal networks, while coordinating vice and asset-forfeiture functions and supporting district operations with criminal intelligence.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming the Gang and Narcotics Division as first choice. Two completed arrest reports involving gang, narcotics or organized criminal activity. A written assessment of one active criminal enterprise or conflict in the city and its participants. Supervisory recommendation.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Detective examination passed.Criminal enterprise and conspiracy investigation.Intelligence documentation standards.Informant handling.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the unit commander and one senior detective. Questions focus on intelligence sourcing and the difference between association and criminal conduct.

TRAINING

Paired assignment, intelligence documentation training and one district gang briefing delivered by the applicant.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least one enterprise case supported. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for undocumented intelligence, unlawful targeting or informant mishandling. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

INTELLIGENCE

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MISSION

Collects, evaluates and disseminates criminal intelligence supporting citywide operations, major events and critical incidents, and maintains the Department’s intelligence products.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Intelligence as first choice.Two completed reports demonstrating analytical writing.One written intelligence product on a current city threat or pattern.Detective Sergeant recommendation and Bureau concurrence.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Detective examination passed.Intelligence collection, evaluation and dissemination standards.Analytical writing and briefing.Information handling and confidentiality.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Intelligence unit commander and one bureau representative. Questions focus on source reliability and lawful collection limits.

TRAINING

Analytical writing and briefing training; one product prepared and one briefing delivered to command.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least two products published. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for unauthorized disclosure, unlawful collection or unreliable analysis. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

CRIME LAB

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MISSION

Performs laboratory examination of physical evidence, including firearms, latent prints, biological material and controlled substances, and provides expert findings to investigators.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming the Crime Lab.Two reports demonstrating meticulous evidence documentation.Supervisor Recommendation addressing precision and record keeping.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Evidence handling and chain of custody under GO 11-01.Laboratory examination procedure for the assigned discipline.Documentation and reporting of findings.Courtroom testimony.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Forensic Services Division commander and one laboratory examiner. Questions focus on chain of custody and the limits of forensic conclusions.

TRAINING

Discipline-specific training with a qualified examiner and supervised casework before independent examination.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with all casework reviewed by a senior examiner. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for chain-of-custody failure, contamination or overstated findings. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

CRIME SCENE PROCESSING

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MISSION

Responds to major crime scenes to photograph, document, recover and submit physical evidence, and produces the scene record other investigators depend on.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Crime Scene Processing.Two reports demonstrating thorough scene documentation.Supervisor Recommendation addressing thoroughness under pressure.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Evidence collection, packaging and chain of custody under GO 11-01.Scene photography and diagramming.Latent print and biological evidence recovery.Scene safety and contamination control.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the division commander and one senior technician. Questions focus on scene control and what a technician does when a scene has already been compromised.

TRAINING

Supervised processing of at least three scenes before working independently, including one homicide scene.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with all scene packages reviewed. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for contamination, incomplete documentation or lost evidence. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

MAJOR ACCIDENTS

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MISSION

Investigates fatal and serious injury traffic crashes, hit-and-run offenses and crashes involving Department vehicles, and reconstructs collisions for prosecution.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Major Accidents.Two completed crash or traffic reports authored by the applicant.One report involving an impaired driving arrest.Supervisor Recommendation.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Crash investigation and reconstruction.Impaired driving detection and evidentiary procedure.Scene measurement, photography and diagramming.Vehicle inspection and mechanical evidence.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the unit supervisor and one investigator. Questions focus on scene preservation on a live roadway and reconstruction from physical evidence.

TRAINING

Reconstruction training and supervised investigation of at least two serious crashes.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with at least two reconstructions completed. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for incomplete scene documentation or failure to complete reconstructions. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

TRAFFIC

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MISSION

Conducts directed traffic enforcement, responds to crashes, manages traffic for events and incidents, and addresses street racing and reckless driving problems.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Traffic.Two traffic or crash reports authored by the applicant.Supervisor Recommendation addressing stop quality and professionalism.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Traffic law and stop procedure under GO 06-01.Crash investigation basics.Impaired driving detection.Traffic direction and roadway safety.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the unit supervisor and one Traffic officer. Questions focus on discretion and the difference between a warning and a citation.

TRAINING

Enforcement and crash training with a Traffic officer; one event traffic assignment.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Returned to prior assignment for pretextual stops, discourtesy or unsafe roadway practice. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM

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MISSION

A citywide team deployed to violence hot spots, large crowds and civil disorder, providing surge coverage and mobile field force capability under district or incident command.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming the Public Safety Team.Two reports involving high-risk enforcement or crowd conditions.Supervisor Recommendation addressing discipline and restraint.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Crowd management and mobile field force.Less-lethal tools authorized for the team.Use of force under GO 09-01, with emphasis on restraint in crowds.Team movement and formation.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the team commander and one team supervisor. Questions focus on restraint under provocation and following formation direction.

TRAINING

Team formation and crowd management training; one supervised deployment.

PROBATION

10 hours on the team with two deployments. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the team for loss of composure in a crowd, unauthorized force or breaking formation. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

SWAT

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MISSION

Resolves high-risk incidents beyond patrol capability, including barricaded subjects, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service and active threat response.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming SWAT.Two reports involving high-risk enforcement.Supervisor Recommendation and district Commander concurrence.Physical and firearms qualification record.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Firearms qualification at the team standard.Tactical entry, movement and breaching.Crisis negotiation awareness.Tactical emergency casualty care.Use of force under GO 09-01.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the team commander, one team leader and one operator. Includes a physical and firearms assessment in addition to the interview.

TRAINING

Basic SWAT school, monthly team training and one supervised operation before full callout status.

PROBATION

10 hours on the team with attendance at all scheduled training. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the team for missed training, failed qualification, loss of discipline on an operation or unauthorized force. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

AVIATION

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MISSION

Provides airborne support for pursuits, searches, surveillance and large events, and serves as an aerial observation platform for incident command.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Aviation.Two reports demonstrating clear radio narration of a moving incident.Supervisor Recommendation.Pilot certification record where the applicant applies as a pilot.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Aircraft familiarization and safety.Airborne observation and radio narration.Pursuit support procedure under GO 07-01.Search pattern and coordination with ground units.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Aviation commander and one air crew member. Questions focus on radio clarity and supporting ground units without directing them.

TRAINING

Observer training and supervised flights before independent crew status; pilots complete an additional check ride.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the unit for safety violations, poor radio discipline or failure to maintain certification. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

CANINE (K-9)

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MISSION

Deploys trained police canines for tracking, article and narcotics detection, building searches and suspect apprehension in support of patrol and investigations.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Canine.Two reports involving a search, track or apprehension.Supervisor Recommendation addressing patience and consistency.Commitment statement covering care of the assigned canine.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Canine handler certification for the assigned discipline.Use of force under GO 09-01 as applied to canine deployment.Search and tracking procedure.Canine care and welfare.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Canine unit supervisor and one handler. Questions focus on when a canine should not be deployed.

TRAINING

Handler school with the assigned canine, ongoing maintenance training and one supervised deployment.

PROBATION

10 hours as a handler with certification maintained. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed as a handler for uncertified deployment, unjustified apprehension or neglect of the assigned canine. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

DIGNITARY PROTECTION

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MISSION

Provides protective operations for the Mayor, the Superintendent, visiting officials and other designated principals, including advance work, movement and site security.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Dignitary Protection.Two reports demonstrating discretion and professionalism.Supervisor Recommendation and command concurrence.Statement of availability for irregular assignments.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Protective operations and advance planning.Motorcade movement and formation.Threat assessment and site survey.Confidentiality of principal movements.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the unit commander and one protection officer. Questions focus on discretion, composure and handling an approach to the principal.

TRAINING

Protective operations training, one advance survey and one supervised movement.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the unit for disclosing principal movements, loss of composure or lapse in attention on a detail. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

FIELD TRAINING OFFICER

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MISSION

Trains and evaluates probationary officers in the field under GO 12-01, and is the single largest influence on how a new officer will police for the rest of their career.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Field Training Officer and stating a training philosophy.Two reports the applicant would use as teaching examples, with an explanation of why.Supervisor Recommendation addressing patience, policy knowledge and temperament.Record of 20 hours and 10 shifts in rank.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Current on all mandatory training.FTO certification course.Evaluation and documentation standards under GO 12-01.Adult instruction and feedback technique.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Training Division commander and one senior FTO. Questions focus on how the applicant corrects a recruit without discouraging them.

TRAINING

FTO course, one recruit co-trained with a senior FTO, and review of the applicant’s first evaluation package.

PROBATION

One full recruit cycle completed under review. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed as an FTO for hazing, undocumented evaluations, teaching contrary to policy or releasing an unready recruit. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

TRAINING ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR

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MISSION

Delivers Academy instruction to recruits and in-service training to sworn members, and writes the training bulletins that keep the Department current on policy.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming the subject area the applicant intends to teach.One written lesson plan for that subject.Supervisor Recommendation.Record of relevant field experience in the subject area.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Current on all mandatory training.Instructor certification for the assigned subject.Lesson plan development and evaluation.Policy currency across the General Orders.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Training Division commander and one instructor. The applicant delivers a short block of instruction to the panel.

TRAINING

Instructor certification, co-teaching of one full block and review of the applicant’s lesson plans.

PROBATION

Two instructional cycles under review. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed as an instructor for teaching contrary to policy, unprepared instruction or unprofessional conduct toward recruits. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

BUREAU OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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MISSION

Recruits and screens applicants to the Department, conducts background review and applicant interviews, and represents the Department to prospective officers.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming the Bureau of Organizational Development.A written statement on what makes a good candidate for this Department.Supervisor Recommendation addressing professionalism and judgment.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Current on all mandatory training.Applicant screening and background review procedure.Interview technique and documentation.Confidentiality of applicant information.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Recruitment supervisor and one Training Division representative. Questions focus on screening judgment and handling a marginal applicant.

TRAINING

Screening and interview training; three supervised applicant interviews.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the unit for favoritism in screening, disclosure of applicant information or misrepresenting the Department. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

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MISSION

Receives and investigates complaints against members, conducts administrative investigations under GO 14-01 and protects both the public and members through impartial fact finding.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming Internal Affairs.Two reports demonstrating precise, neutral factual writing.Supervisor Recommendation and command concurrence.Statement acknowledging the professional isolation the assignment carries.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Administrative investigation procedure under GO 14-01.Member rights in administrative interviews.Evidence and record handling for administrative cases.Confidentiality and anti-retaliation requirements.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Bureau of Internal Affairs commander and one investigator. Questions focus on impartiality when the subject is a friend.

TRAINING

Administrative investigation training and two supervised investigations before carrying a case independently.

PROBATION

10 hours in unit with all case files reviewed. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the unit for partiality, leaking case information, retaliation or failure to complete investigations. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.

Specialized assignment

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

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MISSION

Serves as the Department’s public voice under GO 15-01 and GO 16-01, drafting press releases and public safety notices and speaking for the Department at incidents when designated.

PACKET REQUIREMENTS

Letter of Intent naming the Public Information Office.Two writing samples: one press release and one public safety notice drafted by the applicant.Supervisor Recommendation addressing composure and writing ability.Communications Division Director concurrence.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Public information release standards under GO 16-01.Approval levels and what requires executive sign-off.Confidentiality of investigative information.On-camera and crisis communication.

INTERVIEW

Panel of the Communications Division Director and one Public Information Officer. Includes an unscripted mock press availability on a developing incident.

TRAINING

Release drafting under the Director, one supervised media availability and one incident assignment alongside a Public Information Officer.

PROBATION

10 hours in the office with all releases reviewed before publication. Performance is reviewed by the unit commander before the assignment is made permanent.

REMOVAL FROM ASSIGNMENT

Removed from the office for unauthorized release, disclosure of confidential information or presenting personal opinion as a Department statement. Removal from a specialized assignment is not a reduction in rank and does not by itself constitute discipline.