document_title: Police rank

question_text: who has a higher rank sergeant or lieutenant

question_tokens: who has a higher rank sergeant or lieutenant

text: Police rank

text: Australia[edit]

text: Generally, all police forces of Australia follow this rank structure with some individual state police forces have ranks differing slightly.

text: Insignia of rank displayed on epaulette in italics and brackets

text: For an overview of all distinct state and federal rank structures,

text:
Commissioner (two crossed and wreathed batons below a crown)
Deputy Commissioner (two crossed and wreathed batons below a pip)
Assistant Commissioner (two crossed batons)
Commander (three pips in a triangular pattern below a crown)
Chief Superintendent (two pips below a crown)
Superintendent (one pip below a crown)
Inspector (three pips)
Senior Non-Commissioned Ranks
Senior Sergeant (three chevrons, crown and surmounted by a laurel wreath)
Sergeant (three chevrons)
Non-Commissioned Ranks
Senior Constable (two chevrons)
Constable (plain epaulette)
Probationary Constable (plain epaulette)
Each state has its own distinct rank structure
Australian Capital Territory
Australian Federal Police
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

text: Belgium[edit]

text:
Highest commissioned rank
Hoofdcommissaris / commissaire divisionnaire (Chief Commissioner)
Commissioned rank
Commissaris / Commissaire (Commissioner)
Senior non commissioned rank
Hoofdinspecteur / Inspecteur principal (Chief Inspector/Superintendent)
Non commissioned rank
Inspecteur / Inspecteur (Inspector, equivalent to Constable or Officer)
Auxiliary rank
Agent van Politie / Agent de Police (Auxiliary Officer)

text: Bolivia[edit]

text:
Policia Egresado - Graduate Policeman
Cabo - Corporal
Sargento Segundo - Sergeant
Sargento Primero - Staff sergeant
Suboficial Segundo - Zone Sergeant
Suboficial primero - Technical Sergeant
Suboficial mayor - Station Sergeant
Suboficial Supervisor - Sergeant Major
Subteniente - Second Lieutenant
Teniente - Lieutenant
Capitan - Captain
Mayor - Major
Teniente Coronel - Lieutenant Colonel
Coronel - Colonel
General Director - Brigadier
General Superior - Major General of Police
General Supervisor - Lieutenant General of Police
General Comandante - Director General of Police

text: Brazil[edit]

text: Brazil has several different police forces, each with its own ranks. At a federal level, there are the Federal Police (Portuguese: Polícia Federal, the equivalent to the FBI), the Federal Highway Police (Polícia Rodoviária Federal) and the Federal Railway Police (Polícia Ferroviária Federal). At a state level, there are the Military Police (Polícia Militar, a gendarmerie type force not to be confused with the military police of other countries, the Brazilian equivalent of which is the Army Police) and the Civil Police (Polícia Civil). At a city level, there is the Municipal Guard (Guarda Municipal). In terms of staff, the Military Police and the Civil Police are the most important ones, although in terms of headlines and prestige, the Federal Police is the one that concentrates most of the media attention.[1]

text: The Civil Police is responsible for investigating crimes whilst the Military Police is responsible for preventing them to take place, although it is not rare to see their functions clashing and ever so often they actually have open confronts.

text: The Civil Police is organized accordingly to functions. Scrivener (escrivão) is the lower rank position responsible for the internal work inside the police premises (e.g., collecting witness statements). Detective (detetive) or investigator (investigador) is the position responsible for actions outside the premises (e.g., investigating the circumstances of a crime). Delegate (delegado, similar to captain in USA) is the senior official (required to have a law degree) responsible for the lower ranks and for coordinating the whole work (investigations) of the Civil Police. The Civil Police also have the assistance of experts (peritos), which are the technical body. The Federal Police follows a very similar structure to the Civil Police, the same case in the Federal Highway and Railway polices.

text: The ranks listed below are valid for the state military police agencies (such as PMMG, PMESP, PMERJ and others) and are listed, respectively, from higher to lower ranks:

text:
coronel (colonel)
tenente-coronel (lieutenant-colonel)
major (major)
capitão (captain)
1º tenente (1st lieutenant)
2º tenente (2nd lieutenant)
aspirante-a-oficial (cadet, student rank)
subtenente (under-lieutenant)
1º sargento (1st sergeant)
2º sargento (2nd sergeant)
3º sargento (3rd sergeant)
cabo (corporal)
soldado de 1ª classe (Private 1st Class)
soldado de 2ª classe (Private 2nd Class, student rank)

text:
NATO code
OF-10
OF-9
OF-8
OF-7
OF-6
OF-5
OF-4
OF-3
OF-2
OF-1
OF(D)
Student officer

 Brazil(Military Police)(Edit)

No equivalent

Coronel

Tenente-coronel

Major

Capitão

Primeiro tenente

Segundo tenente

Aspirante

text:
NATO Code
OR-9
OR-8
OR-7
OR-6
OR-5
OR-4
OR-3
OR-2
OR-1

 Brazil(Military Police) (Edit)

No equivalent

No equivalent

Subtenente

Primeiro-Sargento

Segundo-Sargento

Terceiro-Sargento

Cabo

Soldado

text: The 2nd class soldier and the cadet are considered to be students in the formation courses and have no street policing duties (except in a very few cases, as probationary tours). Despite closely resembling the rank structure within the Brazilian army, there are no rank of general in the military police forces, as the Military Police is slotted under the Army control in case of war, with its colonels slotting under the Army generals.

text: Canada[edit]

text: Ranks of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police[2]:

text:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner

Assistant Commissioner

Chief Superintendent

Superintendent

Inspector

'

Sous-commissaire

Commissaire adjoint

Surintendant principal

Surintendant

Inspecteur

1

7

26

58

179

348

text:
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Corps Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major

Staff Sergeant Major

Staff Sergeant

Sergeant

Corporal

Constable

Sergent-major du corps

Sergent-major

Sergent-major d'état major

Sergent d'état-major

Sergent

Caporal

Gendarme

1

1

13

812

1,923

3,377

11,491

No Insignia

text: Police Ranks for Provincial (With the exception of the Sûreté du Québec and Alberta Sheriffs) and the majority of Municipal Police Services as follows[3][4][5]:

text:
Chief of Police / Commissioner / Chief Constable
Deputy Chief of Police / Deputy Chief Constable
Staff Superintendent
Superintendent
Staff Inspector
Inspector
Sergeant Major
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant / Detective
Police Constable 1st Class / Detective Constable
Police Constable 2nd Class
Police Constable 3rd Class
Police Constable 4th Class
Cadet

text: Police Ranks for the Alberta Sheriffs[6]:

text:
RANKS

Chief Sheriff

Deputy Chief

Superintendent

Inspector

Branch Sergeant Major

Sergeant

Sheriff III FTO

Sheriff III

Sheriff II

Sheriff I

INSIGNIA

No Insignia

No Insignia

text: Ranks of the Sûreté du Québec[7]:

text:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Director Generalof the SQ(Directeur general)

Directeur adjoint

Inspecteur chef

Inspecteur

Capitaine

Lieutenant

text:
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Sergeant

Chef d'Equip

Agent

No Insignia

text: Ranks and insignia of the Kativik Regional Police Force are similar to those of Sûreté du Québec.

text: Ranks of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal[8]:

text:
Director (Directeur)
Associate Director (Directeur-Adjoint)
Assistant Director (Assistant-Directeur)
Chief Inspector (Inspecteur Chef)
Inspector (Inspecteur)
Commander (Commandant de Quartier)
Lieutenant / Detective Lieutenant (Lieutenant/Lieutenant Détective)
Quarter Sergeant (Sergent de Quartier)
Sergeant / Detective Sergeant (Sergent/Sergent Détective)
Senior Constable (Agent Sénior)
Constable (Agent)

text: Canadian Auxiliary Police Ranks as follows:

text:
Auxiliary Staff Superintendent
Auxiliary Superintendent
Auxiliary Staff Inspector
Auxiliary Inspector
Auxiliary Sergeant Major
Auxiliary Staff Sergeant
Auxiliary Sergeant
Auxiliary Constable

text: Chile[edit]

text: These are the ranks used by Chilean police services.

text: Investigations Police of Chile (PDI)[edit]

text: Officers

text:
Director General
Prefecto General
Prefecto Inspector
Prefecto
Subprefecto
Comisario
Subcomisario
Inspector
Subinspector
Detective
Aspirante

text: Carabineros de Chile[edit]

text: Officers

text:
Ranks
General officers
Senior officers
Head officers
Junior officers

Uniform coatGeneral officers' cape

Operational shirt

Ranks
General Director
General Inspector
General
Coronel
Teniente Coronel
Mayor
Capitán
Teniente
Subteniente

Abbreviation
GNRL DIR
GNRL INS
GNRL
CRNL
TTE CRNL
MAY
CAP
TTE
SUB TTE

text: Non-commissioned officers and enlisted

text:
Ranks
Warrant Officers
NCOs
Enlisted

ShirtCapeCarabinero shirt

Operational shirt

Ranks
Suboficial Mayor
Suboficial
Sargento 1º
Sargento 2°
Cabo 1º
Cabo 2°
Carabinero

Abbreviation
(SOM)
(SuboF)
(SG1)
(SG2)
(CBO1)
(CBO2)
(Carab)

text: China[edit]

text: Chinese Police Officers under the Ministry of Public Security use rank insignia on both side of shoulders in the duty uniform. Senior officers ranking at Commissioner and Superintendent levels wear these on the white collar uniform, and for Inspector level and below officers wear them on the sky blue collar uniform.

text: Senior Officers[edit]

text:
Police Commissioner (Chinese: 总警监; pinyin: zǒng jǐngjiān): Shoulder insignia: national coat of arms fully circled with a pair of olive branch.
Deputy Police Commissioner (Chinese: 副总警监; pinyin: fù zǒng jǐngjiān): Deputy Minister of Public Security, shoulder insignia: national coat of arms partly circled with a pair of olive branch.
Superintendent 1st Class (Chinese: 一级警监; pinyin: yījí jǐngjiān): Assistant Commissioner of Police is also wearing this rank, SUPT 1st class normally commands a functional bureau (e.g. CID, Immigration, Traffic, Anti-Smuggling) or a province formation, direct report to DCP. Shoulder insignia: three pips with olive leaves.
Superintendent 2nd Class (Chinese: 二级警监; pinyin: èrjí jǐngjiān): Normally is second in charge of a functional bureau, or a province formation, or a city police headquarters commander. Shoulder insignia: two pips with olive leaves.
Superintendent 3rd Class (Chinese: 三级警监; pinyin: sānjí jǐngjiān): Normally commands police division of a functional bureau, or the head of a police sub-bureau of a city. Shoulder insignia: one pip with olive leaves.
Inspector 1st Class (Chinese: 一级警督; pinyin: yījí jǐngdū): Shoulder insignia: three pips with two silver bars.
Inspector 2nd Class (Chinese: 二级警督; pinyin: èrjí jǐngdū): Shoulder insignia: two pips with two silver bars.
Inspector 3rd Class (Chinese: 三级警督; pinyin: sānjí jǐngdū): Shoulder insignia: one pip with two silver bars.

text: Administrative positions do not exactly tally with ranks among Inspector level and junior officers, admin positions (from PC to Station Commander or even Deputy Chief of a sub-Bureau), are various and flexible, it depends on each individual's qualifications and multiple skills, performance efficiency and effectiveness, years of service, personality and communication ability, potential leadership. Loyal and qualified officers with no misconduct record, are eligible to get rank promotion every four years (only applicable from Sgt 1st class to Insp 1st class). For example, a normal PC holding a non-commissioned position during his/her entire police career, with the increasing years of service, the highest rank he/she may attain is either Insp 3rd class (for high school and below qualification holders), or Insp 1st class (for university graduated certificate holders). Alternatively, young officers who are holding university degree(regardless of disciplines and majors), usually after three years of service, once his/her overall performance and ability meet operation needs, recommended by his/her team leader or a higher commanding officer, may have chance to get promoted (as sub-unit commander, detective supervisor...).

text: Officers at this mid-rank level play very important roles as the "Cornerstone" of the national police force. As most of them have already served quite long years, with accumulated work experiences, no matter standing at commanding or non-commanding position, they are either undertaking major responsibilities in public security or nurturing young officers with self model behaviours and proper instructions.

text: Junior Officers[edit]

text:
Sergeant 1st Class (Chinese: 一级警司; pinyin: yījí jǐngsī): Highest admin position at this rank can be Station Commander, or Operations Squad Leader and sub-Unit Commander/Section Head at a police bureau or sub-bureau, normally in charge of a detective case or a common police raid operation. Shoulder insignia: three pips with one silver bar.
Sergeant 2nd Class (Chinese: 二级警司; pinyin: èrjí jǐngsī): University degree holder's entry ranking level is Sgt 2 class. Other than basic duties, also attend and assist sub-unit commander/section head in handling all kinds of cases. Sometimes is second in charge or Acting Commander during a case or operation. Shoulder insignia: two pips with one silver bar.
Sergeant 3rd Class (Chinese: 三级警司; pinyin: sānjí jǐngsī): Other than basic duties, also attend and assist sub-unit commander/section head in handling all kinds of cases. Shoulder insignia: one pip with one silver bar.
Constable 1st Class (Chinese: 一级警员; pinyin: yījí jǐngyuán): Perform road patrol and vehicle command duties. Shoulder insignia: two pips.
Constable 2nd Class (Chinese: 二级警员; pinyin: èrjí jǐngyuán): Perform road patrol and vehicle command duties. Shoulder insignia: one pip.

text:
Loyal and qualified officers with no misconduct record, are eligible to attain rank promotion at every three-year of service (only applicable from PC 2nd class to Sgt 1st class).
Rank does not have any connection with position, it can only shows how many years you have been work for police unit.

text:
Probationary Constable (Chinese: 见习警员; pinyin: jiànxí jǐngyuán): Might be attaching to any of police stations or sub-units to familiar with the real police operations. The probationary period normally is one year. Shoulder insignia: two chevrons.
Recruit (Chinese: 学警; pinyin: xuéjǐng): Cadets at the police training academy. Shoulder insignia: one chevron.

text: People's Armed Police[edit]

text: The People's Armed Police, as part of the People's Liberation Army, uses the same ranks and uniform as the PLA itself, save for the China Coast Guard which uses navy-style ranks and uniform plus the China Maritime Safety Administration.

text: Officers[edit]

text:
EquivalentNATO code
OF-10
OF-9
OF-8
OF-7
OF-6
OF-5
OF-4
OF-3
OF-2
OF-1
OF(D) and student officer

 People's Republic of China

No equivalent

General上将

Lieutenant General中将

Major General少将

Colonel Commandant大校

Colonel上校

Lieutenant Colonel中校

Major少校

Captain上尉

First Lieutenant中尉

Second Lieutenant少尉

Officer Cadet学员

text: Non-commissioned Officers & Enlisted[edit]

text:
EquivalentNATO Code
OR-9
OR-8
OR-7
OR-6
OR-5
OR-4
OR-3
OR-2
OR-1

 People's Republic of China

Chief Sergeant 1st Class(一级军士长)

Chief Sergeant 2nd Class(二级军士长)

Chief Sergeant 3rd Class(三级军士长)

Chief Sergeant 4th Class(四级军士长)

Sergeant(上士)

Corporal(中士)

Lance Corporal(下士)

Private 1st Class(上等兵)

Private(列兵)

text: Croatia[edit]

text: Regular Police ranks[edit]

text:
Police Director (Ravnatelj policije)
Deputy Police Director (Zamjenik ravnatelja policije)
Police senior commissioner (Glavni policijski savjetnik)
Police commssioner (Policijski savjetnik)
Chief Police inspector (Glavni policijski inspektor)
Leading Police inspector (Samostalni policijski inspektor)
Senior Police inspector (Viši policijski inspektor)
Police inspector (Policijski inspektor)
Police sergeant major (Samostalni policijski narednik)
Police staff sergeant (Viši policijski narednik)
Police sergeant (Policijski narednik)
Leading Police officer (Samostalni policajac)
Senior Police officer (Viši policajac)
Police officer (Policajac)
Police College Cadet (Vježbenik više i visoke stručne spreme)
Probationer with secondary school (Vježbenik Srednje Stručne Spreme)

text: Special Intervention Police ranks[edit]

text:
Commander of intervention Police (Zapovjednik interventne policije)
Deputy of commander of intervention Police (Pomoćnik zapovjednika interventne policije)
Instructor in headquarters of intervention Police (Instruktor u zapovjedništvu interventne policije)
Commander of intervention Police unit (Zapovjednik jedinice interventne policije)
Deputy of commander of intervention Police unit (Zamjenik zapovjednika jedinice interventne policije)
Commander of troop in intervention Police (Zapovjednik satnije)
Deputy of commander of troop in intervention Police (Pomoćnik zapovjednika satnije)
Commander of platoon in intervention Police - instructor (Zapovjednik voda- instruktor)
Commander of section in intervention Police(Zapovjednik odjeljenja)
Leader of intervention group (Vođa interventne grupe)
Police officer in intervention group (Interventni policajac)

text: Cyprus[edit]

text:
Title

Title in Greek

Chief of Police

Αρχηγός

Deputy Chief of Police

Υπαρχηγός

Assistant Chief of Police

Βοηθός Αρχηγός

Chief Superintendent

Ανώτερος Αστυνόμος

Superintendent A'

Αστυνόμος Α'

Superintendent B'

Αστυνόμος Β'

Chief Inspector

Ανώτερος Υπαστυνόμος

Inspector

Υπαστυνόμος

Senior Sergeant

Αρχιλοχίας

Sergeant

Λοχίας

Acting SergeantSenior Constable

Αναπληρωτής ΛοχίαςΑρχιαστυφύλακας

Acting Sergeant

Αναπληρωτής Λοχίας

Senior Constable

Αρχιαστυφύλακας

Constable

Αστυφύλακας

Special Constable

Ειδικός Αστυφύλακας

text: Denmark[edit]

text:
Danish National Police Rank Insignia

 Denmark (Edit)

Insignia

Rank

Rigspolitichefen

Politidirektør, Vicepolitidirektør, Vicerigspolitichef or Politimester

Chefpolitiinspektør or Chefanklager

Vicepolitimester, Chefanklager, Politiinspektør or Chefpolitiinspektør

Vicepolitiinspektør

Politikommissær

Politiassistent af 1. grad

Politiassistent af 2. grad

Politibetjent

EN Rank

National Police Commissioner

Chief of Police,

Chief Inspector, Chief Prosecutor

Deputy Chief of Police, Chief Inspector, Inspector

Deputy Inspector

Commissioner

Police Constable First Class

Police Constable

Police officer

text: Estonia[edit]

text:
General of Police (Politseikindral)
Inspector-General of Police (Politseikindralinspektor)
Colonel (Politseikolonel)
Lieutenant Colonel (Politseikolonelleitnant)
Major (Politseimajor)
Captain (Politseikapten)
Lieutenant (Politseileitnant)
Senior Superintendent (Vanemkomissar)
Superintendent (Komissar)
Head Constable, Chief Inspector (Ülemkonstaabel, üleminspektor)
Senior Constable, Senior Inspector (Vanemkonstaabel, vaneminspektor)
Constable, Inspector (Konstaabel, inspektor)
Basic Constable, Sub-inspector (Nooremkonstaabel, nooreminspektor)

text: Finland[edit]

text:
National Police Commissioner (poliisiylijohtaja)
Deputy National Police Commissioner (poliisijohtaja)
Chief Superintendent (poliisitarkastaja)
Police chief (poliisipäällikkö)
Deputy Police Chief (apulaispoliisipäällikkö)
Superintendent (ylikomisario)
Chief Inspector (komisario)
Sergeant (ylikonstaapeli)
Senior Constable (vanhempi konstaapeli)
Constable (nuorempi konstaapeli)

text: France[edit]

text: Police Nationale[edit]

text: Corps de Conception et de Direction[edit]

text:
Director General of the National Police (Directeur général de la police nationale)
Director of Active Services (Directeur des services actifs)
Inspector General (Inspecteur général or Directeur)
Superintendent General (Contrôleur général)
General Commissioner (Commissaire général)
Divisional Commissioner (Commissaire divisionnaire)
Principal Commissioner (Commissaire principal)
Commissioner (Commissaire de police)

text: Corps de Commandement[edit]

text:
Police Divisional Major (Commandant Divisionnaire)
Police Major (Commandant de Police)
Police Captain (Capitaine de Police)
Police Lieutenant (Lieutenant de Police)
Intern Police Lieutenant (Lieutenant de Police stagiaire)
Student Police Lieutenant (élève Lieutenant de Police)

text: Corps d'Encadrement et d'Application[edit]

text:
Police (Sergeant) Major (Major de police)
Police Chief Brigadier (Brigadier-chef de police)
Police Brigadier Brigadier de police
Peace Guard (Gardien de la Paix)
Intern Peace Guard (Gardien de la Paix stagiaire)
Student Peace Guard (élève Gardien de la Paix)

text: Gendarmerie[edit]

text: Officiers (Officers)

text:
Grade (Rank)

Insignia Rank

Général d'Armée(General)

Général de Corps d'Armée(Lieutenant General)

Général de Division(Major General)

Général de Brigade(Brigadier General)

Colonel(Colonel)

Lieutenant-Colonel(Lieutenant Colonel)

Chef d'Escadron(Squadron Leader)(Major)

Capitaine(Captain)

Lieutenant(Lieutenant)

Sous-Lieutenant(Sub-Lieutenant)(Second Lieutenant)

Aspirant(Aspirant)

Élève Officier(Officer Cadet)

text: Sous-officers (Sub-Officers)

text:
Grade(Rank)

Insignia Rank

Major

Adjudant-Chef(Regimental Sergeant Major)(Warrant Officer Class One)

Adjudant(Squadron Sergeant Major)(Warrant Officer Class Two)

Maréchal des Logis-Chef(Chief Marshal of Lodgings)(Staff Sergeant)

Gendarme(Gendarme)(Sergeant)

Gendarme sous contrat(Junior Gendarme)(Sergeant)

Élève Sous-officer(Sub-Officer Cadet)

text: Hommes du rang > Volontaires + Réservistes (Serviceman of the Rank)

text:
Grade(Rank)

Insignia RankDépartementale & Mobile

Aspirant de Gendarmerie Issu du Volontariat(AGIV, Volunteer Lieutenant)

Gendarme Adjoint Maréchal-des-logis(Deputy Gendarme Marshal of Lodgings)(Sergeant)

Gendarme Adjoint Brigadier Chef(Deputy Gendarme Chief-Brigadier)(Corporal)

Gendarme Adjoint Brigadier(Deputy Gendarme Brigadier)(Lance Corporal)

Gendarme Adjoint Volontaire 1ère Classe(Volunteer Deputy Gendarme First Class)

Gendarme Adjoint Volontaire(Volunteer Deputy Gendarme)

text: Police Municipale[edit]

text: Directors[edit]

text: Services director ("Directeur de service")

text:
- 3rd class (exceptional)
- 2nd class (superior)
- 1st class (normal)

text: Chiefs[edit]

text: Service chief ("Chef de service")

text: Deputies[edit]

text:
Principal Chief Brigadier ("Brigadier-chef principal")
Chief Brigadier ("Brigadier-chef")
Brigadier
Sergeant ("Gardien principal")
Deputy ("Gardien de police municipale")
Intern deputy ("Gardien stagiaire")

text: Germany[edit]

text: The following ranks are in use by state police forces. Detective Ranks follow the same scheme, replacing the word Polizei with Kriminal, for example a plainclothed detective lieutenant is called Kriminalkommissar. The Federal Police of Germany basically follows the scheme, but deviates in the flag ranks.

text: Politically appointed[edit]

text: They are comparable to military flag (General) officers, and are appointed by the state Minister of Interior (Senators of Interior in City-States). For federal agencies the federal Minister of Interior is responsible. They are usually specialists in public administration and have a master-level law degree. Since they are outside of the career system, they receive payment according to the B-scale of public officer payment grades.

text:
President of the Federal Police (Präsident des Bundespolizeipräsidiums), the highest police rank, only used by the Federal Police, responsible to the federal Ministry of Interior
President of Police (Polizeipräsident), commands an independent regional authority of state police (Polizeipräsidium, Landespolizeidirektion, or similar), directly subordinated to the corresponding state ministry of interior.
Vice President of Police (Polizeivizepräsident or Vizepräsident), also used in some states, serves as assistant to the state police commander
Inspector of/Director of (stand-by) police (Inspekteur/Direktor der Bereitschaftspolizei), this rank is named differently in some states. The officer commands the stand-by police forces of the state.

text: Higher echelon[edit]

text: Comparable to military staff officers, Major and above. The ranks are available for applicants who completed master level university studies, usually in law. It is possible for officers from the elevated echelon to obtain a master's degree from the Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei, so they can enter higher ranks.

text:
Police Chief Director (Leitender Polizeidirektor) acts as lieutenant to the President of Police or heading a branch service of state police. As a career position it corresponds to grade A16. Four gold stars on shoulder patch.
Police Director (Polizeidirektor), commands a subdivision of a regional authority of state police, either territorial (encompassing roughly one or two Districts of Germany districts) or by branches (traffic, crime). Grade A15. 3 gold stars.
Police Senior Councillor (Polizeioberrat), grade A14. 2 gold stars.
Police Councillor (Polizeirat), commands a local police division (Polizeiinspektion) or special branch; grade A13. 1 gold star.

text: Elevated echelon[edit]

text: Comparable to military officers, Lieutenant and above. The ranks are obtained after receiving a bachelor level degree of a state college of public administration. In several states of Germany this is the lowest echelon for service entry, the medium service echelon is being abolished.

text:
First Police Chief Inspector (Erster Polizeihauptkommissar), may serve in lieu of a Police Councillor, grade A13. 4 silver stars (in some states 5).
Police Chief Inspector (Polizeihauptkommissar), grades A11 and A12. 3 silver stars, in some states 4 stars when in grade A12.
Police Senior Inspector (Polizeioberkommissar), grade A10, 2 silver stars.
Police Inspector (Polizeikommissar), grade A9, 1 silver star.

text: Medium echelon[edit]

text:
Comparable to military non-commissioned officers.
Those ranks are usually obtained during or after two years service in training companies (Ausbildungshundertschaften) of the Bereitschaftspolizei.
The ranks are indicated by light blue (with blue uniform) or light green (with green-brown uniform) stars.

text:
Police Chief Master (upgraded pay) (Polizeihauptmeister mit Amtszulage), may serve in lieu of a Police Inspector, grade A9 with upgrade, 4 or 5 stars.
Police Chief Master (Polizeihauptmeister), grade A9, 4 stars.
Police Senior Master (Polizeiobermeister), grade A8, 3 stars.
Police Master (Polizeimeister), grade A7, 2 stars.
Chief Constable (Hauptwachtmeister), grade A6, 1 star (only in a few states, usually during service in the Bereitschaftspolizei).
Senior Constable (Oberwachtmeister) (only in a few states, usually during service in the Bereitschaftspolizei), grade A5.

text: There have been lower ranks in use in earlier times, with the abolishment of the basic echelon, they have been out of use since the 1980s. The most well-known of these is Wachtmeister (Constable) which still is considered the standard address for a policeman of unknown rank, even though it may now be considered condescending, given the policeman has a higher rank than mere Wachtmeister.

text: Pre-commission[edit]

text: Candidates (Anwärter), usually the word is appended to the rank, to which the person is going to be commissioned, e.g. Polizeikommissaranwärter. Pay is a reduced amount of the corresponding rank.

text: Haiti[edit]

text: Hong Kong[edit]

text: Gazetted

text:
Commissioner of Police (CP) (Traditional Chinese: 警務處處長): crest over pip over wreathed and crossed batons.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Traditional Chinese: 警務處副處長): crest over wreathed and crossed batons.
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) (Traditional Chinese: 警務處高級助理處長): pip over wreathed and crossed batons.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) (Traditional Chinese: 警務處助理處長): wreathed and crossed batons.

text: Inspectorate

text:
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) (Traditional Chinese: 總警司): crest over two pips.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Traditional Chinese: 高級警司): crest over pip.
Superintendent of Police (SP) (Traditional Chinese: 警司): crest.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) (Traditional Chinese: 總督察): three pips.
Senior Inspector of Police (SIP) (Traditional Chinese: 高級督察): two pips over bar.
Inspector of Police (IP) (Traditional Chinese: 督察): two pips.
Probationary Inspector of Police (PI) (Traditional Chinese: 見習督察): pip.

text: Junior Police Officer (Rank and File)

text:
Station Sergeant (SSGT) (Traditional Chinese: 警署警長): wreathed crest.
Sergeant (SGT) (Traditional Chinese: 警長): three downward-pointing chevrons.
Senior Constable (SPC) (Traditional Chinese: 高級警員): downward-pointing chevron.
Police Constable (PC) (Traditional Chinese: 警員): slide with ID number.[9]

text: Iceland[edit]

text:
#
Title
English translation

1
Ríkislögreglustjóri
National Police Commissioner

2
Aðstoðarríkislögreglustjóri

Deputy National Police Commissioner

Lögreglustjóri
Police Commissioner

3
Aðstoðarlögreglustjóri
Deputy Police Commissioner

4
Yfirlögregluþjónn
(Detective) Chief Superintendent

5
Aðstoðaryfirlögregluþjónn
(Detective) Superintendent

6
Aðalvarðstjóri
Chief Inspector

Lögreglufulltrúi
Detective Chief Inspector

7
Varðstjóri
Inspector

Rannsóknarlögreglumaður
Detective Inspector

8
Lögreglumaður
Police Constable

9
Lögreglunemi
Police Cadet

Afleysingamaður í lögreglu
Temporary Replacement Police Constable

Héraðslögreglumaður
Temporarily hired constable

text: India[edit]

text: Gazetted officers include all the Indian Police Service officers and all State Police Services officers of and above the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) or Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in State Police and Metropolitan Police forces respectively.

text: Ranks of Gazetted Officers[edit]

text:
Director Intelligence Bureau (post held by senior most Indian Police Service officer; not a rank)
Commissioner of Police (State)  or  Director General of Police
Special Commissioner of Police  or  Additional Director General of Police
Joint Commissioner of Police  or Inspector General of Police
Additional Commissioner of Police  or  Deputy Inspector General of Police
Deputy Commissioner of Police  or  Senior Superintendent of Police or Senior Commandant
Deputy Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police or Commandant
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police or Additional Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commandant
Assistant Commissioner of Police  or Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commandant
Assistant Superintendent of Police (IPS Probationary Rank: 2 years of service)
Assistant Superintendent of Police (IPS Probationary Rank: 1 year of service)
Deputy Superintendent of Police
Circle Inspector (C.I.)

text: Ranks of non-Gazetted Officer[edit]

text:
Sub-Inspector (S.I.)
Assistant Sub Inspector (A.S.I.)
Senior Head Constable
Head Constable
Senior Constable
Constable

text: Indonesia[edit]

text: Indonesian Police Ranks:

text:
Worn on:

High Ranking officers

Middle Ranking officers

First Ranking officers

Ceremonial Uniform (PDU)

Service Uniform (PDH)

Field Uniform (PDL)on collar

Rank:

Police General

Commissioner General of Police

Inspector General of Police

Brigadier General

Police Chief commissioner

Police Superintendent

Police Commissioner

PoliceChief Inspector

Police Inspector1st Class

Police Inspector2nd Class

text:
Worn on:

Asst. Inspector

Brigadiers (NCO/Constable)

Ceremonial Uniform (PDU)

Service Uniform (PDH)

Field Uniform (PDL)on collar

Rank:

Police Sub-inspector1st Class

Police Sub-inspector2nd Class

Police ChiefBrigadier

Police Brigadier

PoliceFirst Brigadier

PoliceSecond Brigadier

text: The Ranks below is only used in the Mobile Brigade and Water police units:

text:
Worn on:

Enlisted

Ceremonial Uniform (PDU)

Service Uniform (PDH)

Field Uniform (PDL)on collar

Rank:

Police BrigadierAdjutant

Police Brigadier Adjutant1st class

PoliceBrigadier Adjutant 2nd class

ChiefAgent

Agent

SecondAgent

text: Iran[edit]

text: Police Commissioned Officers and Enlisted Ranks

text:
Commissioned Officer rank insignia of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police (NAJA)

Police General

Police Lieutenant General

Police Major General

Police Brigadier General

Police Second Brigadier General

Police Colonel

Police Lieutenant Colonel

Police Major

Police Captain

Police First Lieutenant

Police Second Lieutenant

Police Third Lieutenant

Persian: ارتشبد

Persian: سپهبد

Persian: سرلشکر

Persian: سرتیپ

Persian: سرتیپ دوم

Persian: سرهنگ

Persian: سرهنگ دوم

Persian: سرگرد

Persian: سروان

Persian: ستوان یکم

Persian: ستوان دوم

Persian: ستوان سوم

text:
Enlisted rank insignia of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police (NAJA)

Command Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major(Staff)

Sergeant First Class / First Sergeant

Staff Sergeant

Sergeant

Corporal

Lance Corporal

Senior Policeman

Policeman

Persian: استوار یکم

Persian: استوار دوم

Persian: گروهبان یکم

Persian: گروهبان دوم

Persian: گروهبان سوم

Persian: سرجوخه

Persian: سرباز یکم

Persian: سرباز دوم

Persian: سرباز

text: Iraq[edit]

text: The Iraqi Police is made up of three branches, under the command of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, these being the Iraqi Police Service which tasked with general patrol of Iraq's cities, the Federal Police (earlier was called National Police) which are a paramilitary organisation which deals with incidents that are beyond the control of the Iraqi Police, but are not so serious the Iraqi Army are involved, and the supporting force that is made up of the Department of Border Enforcement.[10]

text: Iraqi Police officers ranks are the same that of Iraqi army ordered lowest to highest with symbol on epaulette:

text:
Colonel general (فريق اول): one silver eagle, two silver stars and two silver crossed swords
Lieutenant general (فريق): one silver eagle, one silver star and two silver crossed swords
Major general (لواء): one silver eagle and two silver crossed swords
Brigadier (عميد): one silver eagle and three silver stars
Colonel (عقيد): one silver eagle and two silver stars
Lieutenant colonel (مقدم): one silver eagle and one silver star
Major (رائد): one silver eagle
Captain (نقيب): three silver stars
First lieutenant (ملازم اول): two silver stars
Lieutenant (ملازم): one silver star

text: Republic of Ireland[edit]

text: Ranks of the Garda Síochána (Guardians of the Peace) the Police service of the Republic of Ireland.

text:
Garda Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner
Chief Superintendent
Superintendent
Inspector
Sergeant
Garda (equivalent to constable or police officer)

text: A Garda allocated to detective duties, up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent, is a detective and the word Detective is prefixed to their rank (e.g. Detective Sergeant).

text: Italy[edit]

text: Japan[edit]

text:
Commissioner General (Japanese: 警察庁長官, Keisatsu-chō Chōkan): the Chief of National Police Agency. The rank outside. 1 capacity.
Superintendent General (警視総監, Keishi-sōkan): the Chief of Metropolitan Police Department. 1 capacity.
Senior Commissioner (警視監, Keishi-kan): Deputy Commissioner General, Deputy Superintendent General, the Chief of Regional Police Bureau, the Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters, others.
Commissioner (警視長, Keishi-chō): the Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters.
Assistant commissioner (警視正, Keishi-sei): the Chief of Police Station (large). National Police Agency officers occupy the higher ranks above it.
Superintendent (警視, Keishi): the Chief of Police Station (small or middle), the Vice Commanding Officer of Police Station, Commander of Riot Unit.
Police Chief Inspector (警部, Keibu): Squad Commander of Police Station, Leader of Riot Company.
Inspector (警部補, Keibu-ho): Squad Sub-Commander of Police Station, Leader of Riot Platoon. National Police Officer 1st class's career start from this rank.
Sergeant (巡査部長, Junsa-buchō): Field supervisor, Leader of Police box. National Police Officer 2nd class's career start from this rank.
Senior Police Officer (巡査長, Junsa-chō): Honorary rank of Police Officer.
Police officer, (巡査, Junsa): Prefectural Police Officer's career start from this rank.

text: Kenya[edit]

text: The Kenya Police wear badges of rank on the shoulders (Inspector-General – Inspector) and sleeve (Senior Sergeant – Constable) of their uniform to denote their rank. In line with the ongoing reforms, the uniforms committee is also working on new insignia for the revised rank structure, which will have to be approved by the National Police Service Commission. The order of Kenya Police ranks is as follows:

text:
Inspector-General (formerly Commissioner of Police)
Deputy Inspector-General
Senior Assistant Inspector-General
Assistant Inspector-General
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Chief Inspector
Inspector
Senior Sergeant
Sergeant
Constable

text: Former Kenya Police ranks and insignia can be found at this reference.

text: South Korea[edit]

text:
Commissioner General (치안총감, 治安總監): at most one may be appointed at a time.
Chief Superintendent General (치안정감, 治安正監): at most five may be appointed at a time.
Senior Superintendent General (치안감, 治安監)
Superintendent General (경무관, 警務官)
Senior Superintendent (총경, 總警)
Superintendent (경정, 警正)
Senior Inspector (경감, 警監)
Inspector (경위, 警衛)
Assistant Inspector (경사, 警査)
Senior Police Officer (경장, 警長)
Police Officer (순경, 巡警)
Newly commissioned officers are appointed as Policeman Assistant (순경시보, 巡警試補) for one year probationary period. The uniform and insignia of an assistant is identical to those of a Policeman.
Auxiliary Policeman (의경, 義警)
Sergeant Constable (수경, 首警)
Corporal Constable (상경, 上警)
Private Constable First Class (일경, 一警)
Private Constable (이경, 二警)

text: Latvia[edit]

text: Ranks of Latvian State police (Latvian: Valsts policija)

text:
Ģenerālis/Police general
Pulkvedis/Colonel
Pulkvežleitnants/Lieutenant Colonel
Majors/Major
Kapteinis/Captain
Virsleitnants/First lieutenant
Leitnants/Lieutenant
Virsnieka vietnieks/Warrant Officer
Virsseržants/First sergeant
Seržants/Sergeant
Kaprālis/Corporal
Kursants
Ierindnieks/Private

text: Lithuania[edit]

text: Generalinis komisaras/Commissioner-General

text: A class officers[edit]

text:
Vyriausiasis komisaras/Chief Commissioner
Vyresnysis komisaras/Senior commissioner
Komisaras/Commissioner

text: B class officers[edit]

text:
Komisaras inspektorius/Commissioner inspector
Vyresnysis inspektorius/Chief inspector
Inspektorius/Inspector

text: C class officers[edit]

text:
Viršila/Sergeant
Vyresnysis policininkas/Police officer 1st class
Policininkas/Police officer
Jaunesnysis policininkas/Junior police officer

text: Luxembourg[edit]

text: The Grand Ducal Police of Luxembourg has the following ranks (from top to bottom):

text:
Director General (directeur général)
Assistant Director General (directeur général adjoint)
First Division Commissioner (1er commissaire divisionnaire)
Division Commissioner (commissaire divisionnaire)
Assistant Division Commissioner (commissaire divisionnaire adjoint)
First Senior Commissioner (1er commissaire principal)
Senior Commissioner (commissaire principal)
Chief Commissioner (commissaire en chef)
Commissioner (commissaire)
Chief Inspector (inspecteur-chef)
First Inspector (premier inspecteur)
Inspector (inspecteur)
Assistant Inspector (inspecteur adjoint)
Chief Brigadier (brigadier-chef)
Senior Brigadier (brigadier principal)
First Brigadier (premier brigadier)
Brigadier (brigadier)

text: Macau[edit]

text: The Public Security Police Force of Macau (CPSP) includes the following categories, ranks and respective main functions :[11]

text:
Senior ranks
Superintendent general (Portuguese: superintendente-geral): commander of the CPSP,
Superintendent (superintendente): deputy commander of the CPSP,
Intendent (intendente): commanding officer of level I units,
Sub-Intendent (subintendente): commanding officer of level II units,
Commissioner (comissário): commanding officer of level III units,
Sub-commissioner (subcomissário): commanding officer of level IV units,
Chief (chefe): commanding officer of level V units,
Sub-chief (subchefe): coordinator of complex tasks;
Basic ranks
Principal constable (guarda principal): coordinator of simple tasks,
Constable first class (guarda de primeira): executor of operational, technical or administrative tasks,
Constable (guarda): executor of operational, technical or administrative tasks.

text: Macedonia[edit]

text:
General Police Counselor (Macedonian: Генерален полициски советник, Generalen policiski sovetnik)
Chief Police Counselor (Macedonian: Главен полициски советник, Glaven policiski sovetnik)
Senior Police Counselor (Macedonian: Виш полициски советник, Viš policiski sovetnik)
Police Counselor (Macedonian: Полициски советник, Policiski sovetnik)
Chief Inspector (Macedonian: Главен инспектор, Glaven inspektor)
Independent Inspector (Macedonian: Самостоен инспектор, Samostoen inspektor)
Senior Inspector (Macedonian: Виш инспектор, Viš inspektor)
Inspector (Macedonian: Инспектор, Inspektor)
Junior Inspector (Macedonian: Помлад инспектор, Pomlad inspektor)
Chief Policeman (Macedonian: Главен полицаец, Glaven policaec)
Senior Policeman (Macedonian: Виш полицаец, Viš policaec)
Policeman (Macedonian: Полицаец, Policaec)

text: Malaysia[edit]

text: Below shown are the rank structure of the Royal Malaysian Police.

text:
Inspector General Grade
Inspector General of Police [IGP]: National Chief Police.
Deputy Inspector General of Police [DIG]: Deputy National Chief Police.
Commissioner of Police [CP] Department Chief Police
Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police
Deputy Commissioner of Police [DCP] : State Chief Police Officer [CPO]
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police
Assistant Commissioner of Police [ACP]: District Chief Police.
Superintendent Grade
Superintendent of Police [SUPT]
Deputy Superintendent of Police [DSP]: District Division Chief
Assistant Superintendent of Police [ASP]: Station Chief Police.

text: Inspector Grade

text:
Inspector [INSP]
Probationary Inspector [P/INSP]
Enlisted Grade
Sub-Inspector [S/INSP]
Sergeant Major [SM]
Sergeant [SGT]
Corporal [CPL]
Lance Corporal [L/CPL]
Constable

text: Mexico[edit]

text: Accordin to the General Law for the National System for Public Security, the Federal, State and Municipal Police Forces will establish his hierarchical organization, at less considering the following ranks categories:

text:
Basic Scale Ladder:
Constable
Leading Constable
Senior Constable
Sergeant
Officers:
Subofficer
Junionr sub-inspector
Sub-inspector
Inspectors:
Inspector
Chief Inspector
Superintendent
Commissioners:
Commissioner
Chief Commissioner
Inspector general
Commissioner generals:
Commissioner General

text: Netherlands[edit]

text:
Police ranks of the Netherlands

Rank

First Chief Commissioner(Eerste Hoofdcommissaris)

Chief Commissioner(Hoofdcommissaris)

Chief Superintendent(Commissaris)

Superintendent(Hoofdinspecteur)

Inspector(Inspecteur)

Sergeant(Brigadier)

Shoulder

Sleeve

Rank

Senior Constable(Hoofdagent)

Constable(Agent)

Police Patrol Officer(Surveillant)

Police Trainee(Aspirant)

Non Executive Employee(Niet-Executieve Medewerker)

Shoulder

Sleeve

text: Norway[edit]

text:
Police ranks of Norway

Norwegian

Politidirektør

Assisterendepolitidirektør

Politimester

Visepolitimester

PolitiinspektørogPolitiadvokat

Politiadvokat

Politifullmektig

Rank

NationalPoliceCommissioner

AssistantNationalCommissioner

Chief of Police

DeputyChief of Police

AssistantChief of Police

PoliceProsecutor

Junior PoliceProsecutor

Insignia

Norwegian

PolitistasjonssjefogLensmann

Politioverbetjent

Politiførstebetjent

Politibetjent 3

Politibetjent 2

Politibetjent 1

Politireserven

Rank

Police ChiefSuperintendent

PoliceSuperintendent

PoliceChief Inspector

Police Inspector

Police Sergeant

Police Constable

PoliceReserve

Insignia

text: Source: Norwegian National Police[12]

text: Pakistan[edit]

text: The following ranks are observed in the various police organisations across Pakistan (Lowest to highest ranks)

text:
1. Constable
2. Head Constable (HC)
3. Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI)
4. Sub Inspector (SI)
5. Inspector (IP)
6. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)/ Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
7. Superintendent of Police (SP)
8. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
9. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)
10. Additional Inspector General of Police (Add.IG)
11. Inspector General of Police (IGP)

text: Philippines[edit]

text: The following ranks are observed in the PNP as of 2009 with the following:[13]

text: Commissioned officers

text:
Director General - General
Deputy Director General (DDG) - Lieutenant General
Director (Dir.) - Major General
Chief Superintendent (C/Supt.) - Brigadier General
Senior Superintendent (S/Supt.) - Colonel
Superintendent (Supt.) - Lieutenant Colonel
Chief Inspector (C/Insp.) - Major
Senior Inspector (S/Insp.) - Captain
Deputy Senior Inspector (DS/Insp.) - 1st Lieutenant
Inspector (Insp.) - 2nd Lieutenant

text: Note: Rank in Italics is the Army equivalent. There is no Second Lieutenant rank-equivalent in the PNP.

text: Non-commissioned officers

text:
Senior Police Officer IV (SPO4) - Senior Master Sergeant / Chief Master Sergeant
Senior Police Officer III (SPO3) - Master Sergeant
Senior Police Officer II (SPO2) - Technical Sergeant
Senior Police Officer I (SPO1) - Staff Sergeant"
Police Officer III (PO3) - Sergeant
Police Officer II (PO2) - Corporal
Police Officer I (PO1) - Private First Class

text: Note: Rank in Italics is the Army equivalent. There is no Private rank-equivalent in the PNP.

text: Poland[edit]

text:
Police ranks of Poland

Group

Generals

Senior Officers

Junior Officers

Polish

generalny inspektor Policji

nadinspektor

inspektor

młodszyinspektor

podinspektor

nadkomisarz

komisarz

podkomisarz

Rank

InspectorGeneral of Police

ChiefInspector

Inspector

JuniorInspector

DeputyInspector

ChiefCommissioner

Commissioner

DeputyCommissioner

Insignia

Group

Aspirants

Non-commissioned Officers

Constables

Polish

aspirant sztabowy

starszy aspirant

aspirant

młodszy aspirant

sierżant sztabowy

starszy sierżant

sierżant

starszy posterunkowy

posterunkowy

Rank

StaffAspirant

SeniorAspirant

Aspirant

JuniorAspirant

StaffSergeant

SeniorSergeant

Sergeant

Senior Constable

Constable

Insignia

text: Portugal[edit]

text: The Public Security Police (PSP) of Portugal includes the following categories, ranks, insignia and respective main functions:

text: Police Officers

text:
National Chief Superintendent: National Director of the PSP,
Deputy National Chief Superintendent: Deputy National Director or Inspector General of the PSP,
Chief Superintendent: commanding officer of a metropolitan / regional command,
Superintendent: commanding officer of a district command or second-in-command of a metropolitan / regional command,
Intendent: division commander in a metropolitan / regional command or second-in-command of a district command,
Sub-Intendent: division commander in a district command or second-in-command of a division commanded by an intendent,
Commissioner: second-in-command of a division commanded by a sub-intendent,
Sub-Commissioner: commanding officer of a police squad / police station;

text: Police Chiefs

text:
Chief Coordinator: ,
Principal Chief: auxiliary of a unit commanding officer,
Chief: supervisor of staff and leader of police teams;

text: Police Agents

text:
Agent Coordinator:,
Principal Agent: a senior principal agent may perform the same functions as a chief, others perform the same functions as an agent,
Agent: functions of police constable;

text: Police Officer Academy (ISCPSI) Students:

text:
Officer Candidate: student of the 5th year of the Training Course for Police Officers (CFOP),
Cadet: student of the 4th year of the CFOP,
Cadet: student of the 3rd year of the CFOP,
Cadet: student of the 2nd year of the CFOP,
Cadet: student of the 1st year of the CFOP.

text: Romania[edit]

text:
Romanian Police ranks

Corps

Corpul ofiţerilor de poliţie (Police Officers' Corps)

Group

Quaestors

Commissioners

Inspectors

Romanian

chestor-general

chestor-șef

chestor-principal

chestor

comisar-șef

comisar

subcomisar

inspector-principal

inspector

subinspector

Rank

Quaestor-General

Chief-Quaestor

Principal Quaestor

Quaestor

Chief Commissioner

Commissioner

Subcommissioner

Principal Inspector

Inspector

Subinspector

Insignia

Corps

Corpul agenţilor de poliţie (Police Agents' Corps)

Group

Agents

Romanian

agent-şef principal

agent-şef

agent-şef adjunct

agent principal

agent

Rank

Principal Chief Agent

Chief Agent

Deputy Chief Agent

Principal Agent

Agent

Insignia

text: Russia[edit]

text: The Police of Russia uses the following rank system:

text:
Cadet (educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs)
Private

text: Junior commanding staff

text:
Junior Sergeant
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant major (Starshina)
Warrant officer
Senior warrant officer

text: Middle commanding staff

text:
Junior-lieutenant
Lieutenant
Senior Lieutenant
Captain

text: Senior commanding staff

text:
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel

text: General officers

text:
Police Major General
Police Lieutenant-General
Police Colonel-General
General of the Police of the Russian Federation

text: The rank of Yefreytor is only used by the Internal Troops of the MVD, now the National Guard of Russia.

text: Serbia[edit]

text:
General of the Police (General policije)
Chief Police Adviser/Counselor (Glavni policijski savetnik)
Police Adviser/Counselor (Policijski savetnik)
Chief Police Inspector (Glavni policijski inspektor)
Independent police inspector (Samostalni policijski inspektor)
Police Inspector (Policijski inspektor)
Police Sergeant (Policijski narednik)
Junior Police Sergeant 1st Class (Mladji policijski narednik 1 klase)
Junior Police Sergeant (Mladji policijski narednik)
Independent Policeman (Samostalni policajac)
Senior Policeman (Viši policajac)
Policeman 1st Class (Policajac 1 klase)
Policeman (Policajac)
Junior Policeman 1st Class (Mladji policajac 1 klase)
Junior Policeman (Mladji policajac)

text: Singapore[edit]

text:
Below shown are the rank structure of the Singapore Police Force.
Latest changes made to the ranks of the SPF were made in 2016. Officers with ranks that were made obsolete would continue to carry their ranks until their next promotion.

text:
Senior police officers
Commissioner of Police [CP][14]
Deputy Commissioner of Police [DCP]
Senior Assistant Commissioner [SAC]
Assistant Commissioner [AC]
Deputy Assistant Commissioner [DAC]
Superintendent of Police [SUPT]
Deputy Superintendent of Police [DSP]
Assistant Superintendent of Police [ASP]
Inspector of Police [INSP]
Police officers
Senior Station Inspector (2) of Police [SSI2] (Obsolete in 2016)
Senior Station Inspector of Police [SSI] (Obsolete in 2016)
Station Inspector of Police [SI]
Senior Staff Sergeant [SSSGT]
Staff Sergeant [SSGT] (Obsolete in 2016)
Sergeant [SGT]
Corporal [CPL] (Obsolete in 2016)
Lance Corporal [LC]: Obsolete for the regular force. Currently only available for the Gurkha Contingent.
Special constable [SC]: Full-time National Servicemen. Promoted FTNS officers will have the SC prefix to their rank, e.g. SC/Cpl, SC/Sgt.
Police Constable [PC]: This rank is no longer granted to regulars. However, officers below the rank of inspector being discharged from the police force on disciplinary grounds are first reduced to the rank of constable before their discharge.

text: South Africa[edit]

text: As of 1 June 2016, the functional rank structure in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is as follows:[15][16]

text:
Police ranks of South Africa

Group

Senior Management - Commissioned Officers

Rank

General (Gen)

Lieutenant General (Lt Gen)

Major General (Maj Gen)

Brigadier

Insignia

Role

Designation ofNational Commissioner

Actg. National Commissioner,Deputy National Commissioner,Regional Commissioner,Provincial Commissioner,Divisional Commissioner

Group

Commissioned Officers

Rank

Colonel (Col)

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col)

Captain

Insignia

Group

Non-commissioned Officers

Rank

Warrant Officer (W/O)

Sergeant (Sgt)

Constable (Const)

Insignia

text: From 1 April 2010 until 1 June 2016, the rank structure was as follows:

text:
General (Gen) - designation of National Commissioner
Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) - Actg. National Commissioner, Deputy National Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner
Major General (Maj Gen)
Brigadier

text:
Colonel (Col)
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col)
Major
Captain
Lieutenant

text:
Warrant Officer (W/O)
Sergeant (Sgt)
Constable (Const)

text: Prior to April 2010, the rank structure was as follows:

text:
National Commissioner
Deputy National Commissioner
Divisional Commissioner or Provincial Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner

text:
Director
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Captain
Inspector

text:
Sergeant
Constable
Student

text: Spain[edit]

text: Cuerpo Nacional de Policía

text:
Director General of Police (Spanish: Director General de Policia)
Deputy Director General (Director Adjunto Operativo)
Sub-Director General (Subdirector General)
Commissioner General/Division Chief (Comisario General/Jefe de Division)
Senior Chief (Jefe Superior)
Principal Commissioner (Comisario Principal)
Commissioner (Comisario)
Chief Inspector (Inspector Jefe)
Inspector
Sub-Inspector (Subinspector)
First Class Police Officer (Oficial de Policia)
Police Officer (Policia)

text: Guardia Civil - Civil Guard

text:
NATO Code
OF-8
OF-7
OF-6
OF-5
OF-4
OF-3
OF-2
OF-1

 Spain

Teniente General

General de División

General de Brigada

Coronel

Teniente Coronel

Comandante

Capitán

Teniente

Alférez

EquivalentTranslation

Lieutenant General

Divisional General

Brigade General

Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel

Major/Commandant

Captain

Lieutenant

lit. Knight(Ensign)

text:
NATO Code
OR-9
OR-8
OR-7
OR-6
OR-5
OR-4
OR-3
OR-2
OR-1

 Spain

Suboficial Mayor

Subteniente

Brigada

Sargento Primero

Sargento

Cabo Mayor

Cabo Primero

Cabo

Guardia Civil de Primera

Guardia Civil

EquivalentTranslation

SeniorWarrant Officer

Warrant Officer1st Class

Warrant Officer2nd Class

First Sergeant

Sergeant

Master Corporal

Corporal

Lance Corporal

Civil Guardsman First Class (Rank in abeyance)

Civil Guardsman

text: Basque Country[edit]

text: Ertzaintza - Basque Police

text:
Superintendent (Basque: Superintendentea)
Intendent (Intendentea)
Chief Inspector (Inspektorea)
Inspector (Inspektoreordea)
Officer (Ofiziala)
Non-commissioned Officer (Ofizialordea)
Constable 1st Class (1. Ertzaina)
Constable (Ertzaina)

text: Catalonia[edit]

text: Mossos d'Esquadra - Catalan Police

text:
Chief Superintendent (Catalan: Major)
Superintendent (Comissari)
Chief Inspector (Intendent)
Inspector (Inspector)
Lieutenant (Sotsinspector)
Sergeant (Sergent)
Corporal (Caporal)
Constable (Mosso)

text:
Ranks of the Mossos d'Esquadra

Rank
Mosso
Caporal
Sergent
Sotsinspector
Inspector
Intendent
Comissari
Major

Insignia

text: Navarre[edit]

text: Policía Foral (Foruzaingoa in Basque) - Navarrese Police

text:
Foral Police Chief (Spanish: Jefe Policía Foral, Basque: Foruzaingo Nagusia)
Chief Superintendent (Comisario Principal, Komisario Nagusia)
Superintendent (Comisario, Komisarioa)
Inspector (Inspector, Inspektorea)
Deputy Inspector (Subinspector, Inspektoreordea)
Corporal (Cabo, Kaporala)
Foral Constable (Agente Foral, Foruzaina)

text: Sri Lanka[edit]

text:
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Senior Deputy Inspector General of police (SDIG)
Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG)
Senior Superintendent of police (SSP)
Superintendent of police (SP)
Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP)
Chief Inspector of police (CIP)
Inspector of police (IP)
Sub Inspector of police (SI)

text:
Police Sergeant Major (PSM)
Police Sergeant Class 1 (PS)
Police Sergeant Class 2 (PS)
Police Constable Class 1 (PC)
Police Constable Class 2 (PC)
Police Constable Class 3 (PC)
Police Constable Class 4 (PC)

text: Sweden[edit]

text:
Swedish police ranks and insignia after reorganization 2015[17]1

Rank

National Police Commissioner

Police Director

Deputy Police Director

Police Commissioner

Deputy PoliceCommissioner

Chief Superintendent

Assistant PoliceCommissioner

Note

Regional Police Chief,Head of Department

Deputy Chief of Region,Deputy Head of Dept.

District Police Chief,Head of Division

Special assignment

Special assignment

Swedish Name

Rikspolischef

Polisdirektör(Regionpolischef, Avdelningschef)

BiträdandePolisdirektör

Polismästare(Polisområdeschef, Enhetschef)

Polisöverintendent

Polisintendent

Polissekreterare

Insignia

Rank

Superintendent,Detective Superintendent

Chief Inspector,Detective Chief Inspector

Inspector,Detective Inspector

Sergeant,Detective Sergeant

Senior Police Constable

Police Constable

Police Trainee

Note

Local Police Chief,Head of Section

Head of Group

After 4 years of employment

Swedish Name

Poliskommisarie,kriminalkommissarie(Lokalpolisområdeschef, Sektionschef)

Poliskommisarie,kriminalkommissarie

Polisinspektör,kriminalinspektör(Gruppchef)

Polisinspektör,kriminalinspektör

Polisassistent

Polisassistent

Polisaspirant

Insignia

text: Taiwan[edit]

text:
Police Supervisor General (警監特級)
Police Supervisor Rank One (警監一級)
Police Supervisor Rank Two (警監二級)
Police Supervisor Rank Three (警監三級)
Police Supervisor Rank Four (警監四級)
Police Officer Rank One (警正一級)
Police Officer Rank Two (警正二級)
Police Officer Rank Three (警正三級)
Police Officer Rank Four (警正四級)
Police Rank One (警佐一級)
Police Rank Two (警佐二級)
Police Rank Three (警佐三級)
Police Rank Four (警佐四級)

text: Thailand[edit]

text: สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ (samnak ngan tamruat haeng chat) - Royal Thai Police

text: Commissioned officers[edit]

text:
NATO Code
OF-10
OF-9
OF-8
OF-7
OF-6
OF-5
OF-4
OF-3
OF-2
OF-1
Student Officer

ร ๑ or ๒ or ๓ or ๔

Thai title

พลตำรวจเอก

พลตำรวจโท

พลตำรวจตรี

พลตำรวจจัตวา

พันตำรวจเอก

พันตำรวจโท

พันตำรวจตรี

ร้อยตำรวจเอก

ร้อยตำรวจโท

ร้อยตำรวจตรี

นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ

RTGS

(no equivalent)

Phon Tam Ruad Ek

Phon Tam Ruad Tho

Phon Tam Ruad Tri

Phon Tam Ruad Jattawa

Phan Tam Ruad Ek

Phan Tam Ruad Tho

Phan Tam Ruad Tri

Roi Tam Ruad Ek

Roi Tam Ruad Tho

Roi Tam Ruad Tri

Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad

Abbreviation[18]

-

พล.ต.อ.

พล.ต.ท.

พล.ต.ต.

พล.ต.จ.

พ.ต.อ.

พ.ต.ท.

พ.ต.ต.

ร.ต.อ.

ร.ต.ท.

ร.ต.ต.

นรต.

Anglicised version

Police General

Police Lieutenant General

Police Major General

Police Senior Colonel

Police Colonel

Police Lieutenant Colonel

Police Major

Police Captain

Police Lieutenant

Police Sub Lieutenant

Police Cadet Officer

UK equivalent (Military/Police)

Field Marshal

GeneralCommissioner

Lieutenant GeneralDeputy Commissioner

Major GeneralAssistant Commissioner

BrigadierCommander

ColonelChief Superintendent

Lieutenant ColonelDivisional Superintendent

MajorSuperintendent

CaptainChief Inspector

LieutenantInspector

Second LieutenantSubdivisional Inspector

Officer Cadet

text: Non-commissioned officers[edit]

text:
ดาบตำรวจ - Police Sergeant Major (dap tamruat)
จ่าสิบตำรวจ - Police Staff Sergeant (ja sip tamruat)
สิบตำรวจเอก - Police Sergeant (sip tamruat ek)
สิบตำรวจโท - Police Corporal (sip tamruat tho)
สิบตำรวจตรี - Police Lance Corporal (sip tamruat tri)
พลตำรวจ - Policeman/Constable (phon tamruat)

text: Turkey[edit]

text: Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü - Turkish Police

text:
Director General (Emniyet Genel Muduru)
Director 1st Grade (1. Sinif Emniyet Muduru)
Director 2nd Grade (2. Sinif Emniyet Muduru)
Director 3rd Grade (3. Sinif Emniyet Muduru)
Director 4th Grade (4. Sinif Emniyet Muduru)
Superintendent (Emniyet Amiri)
Chief Inspector (Baskomiser)
Inspector (Komiser)
Sub-Inspector (Komiser Yardimcisi)
Sergeant (Kıdemli BaşPolis Memuru)
Corporal (BaşPolis Memur)
Police Officer (Turkish: Polis Memuru)

text: Ukraine[edit]

text: The National Police of Ukraine uses the following rank system starting 2015:

text:
Junior officers

Senior officers

Shoulder insigniafor every day uniform

Rank

Constable,Police officer

Corporal

Sergeant

Staff sergeant

Juniorlieutenant

Lieutenant

Seniorlieutenant

Captain

text:
Supervisory officers

Staff officers

Shoulder insigniafor every day uniform

Rank

Major

Lieutenantcolonel

Colonel

Third divisiongeneral(Major General)

Second divisiongeneral (Lieutenant General)

First divisiongeneral(Colonel general)

text: Ranks used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are in force in the National Guard of Ukraine.

text: United Arab Emirates[edit]

text: Abu Dhabi[edit]

text: United Kingdom[edit]

text: While some smaller or area specific police forces (ports, docks, tunnels etc.) may use variations on, or fewer of, these ranks, most territorial police forces and special police forces have a standard set of operational ranks:

text:
Police Constable
Sergeant
Inspector
Chief Inspector
Superintendent
Chief Superintendent

text: The standard Chief Officer ranks outside London are:

text:
Assistant Chief Constable
Deputy Chief Constable
Chief Constable

text: Within London's Metropolitan Police Service the Chief Officer ranks are:

text:
Commander
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis

text: The City of London Police use similar Chief Officer ranks to the Metropolitan Police Service but with fewer ranks:

text:
Commander
Assistant Commissioner
Commissioner of the City of London Police

text: A police officer with investigative duties, up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent, is a detective and the word Detective is prefixed to their rank (e.g. Detective Chief Inspector), except for the rank of Police Constable where the word Police is omitted, making them a Detective Constable.

text: United States[edit]

text: The United States law enforcement ranking model is generally quasi-military in structure. Each level of law enforcement (federal, state, and local) has different ranks and vary considerably from agency to agency. There is no nationally set law enforcement rank structure, but they tend to follow similar patterns.

text: Federal[edit]

text: The Department of Justice and The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contain multiple law enforcement agencies and are the largest federal departments responsible for law enforcement; however, other governmental departments and agencies have law enforcement bodies. Each federal law enforcement agency has a unique rank structure. Many federal law enforcement agencies rank structures resemble Military rank structure but have different cogitations regarding responsibilities and duties. In general, all law enforcement groups in United States follow a similar pattern shown below:

text:
Director or Chief (Comparatively General)
Assistant/ Deputy Director/ Chief (Comparatively Colonel)
Special Agent in Charge (Comparatively Major)
Assistant Special Agent in Charge (Comparatively Captain)
Supervisory Special Agent (Comparatively Lieutenant)
Special Agent (Comparatively Sergeant)
Agent (Comparatively Corporal)
Probationary Agent (Comparatively Private or Cadet)

text: State[edit]

text:
Colonel (some states use the titles of Superintendent, Director or Commissioner, or may have those as ranks higher than Colonel - often selected by the state Governor)
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, First Sergeant, Master Sergeant, or Sergeant Major (some States)
Sergeant
Corporal
Senior/Master Trooper/Patrolman
Trooper (some states may have several grades of Trooper, ex. Senior Trooper, Master Trooper, etc.)
Probationary Trooper
Cadet, Recruit, Trainee

text: Note: Ranks can be skipped or omitted and structure is often determined by individual states. Structure is usually pseudo-military.

text: County[edit]

text:
Sheriff (usually an elected position), Chief
Undersheriff, Chief Deputy, Deputy Chief (sometimes an elected position)
Assistant Sheriff (large departments)
Colonel (large departments)
Area Commander or Lieutenant Colonel (large departments)
Major (large departments)
Captain, or Commander
Lieutenant
Staff Sergeant (large departments)
Sergeant
Corporal
Master Deputy, Senior Deputy, or Senior Deputy Sheriff
Deputy, or Deputy Sheriff
Cadet, Recruit, Trainee, or Probationary Deputy

text: Note: Ranks can be skipped or omitted and structure is often determined by individual counties. The structure is usually pseudo-military.

text: Municipal/City[edit]

text: Chief officers[edit]

text:
Chief of Police (sometimes an elected position; some departments use Superintendent, Director or Commissioner)
Deputy/Assistant Chief (or Deputy/Assistant Commissioner in large departments)

text: Supervisory ranks[edit]

text:
Colonel/Commander/Inspector (large departments. An inspector may also be a non-supervisory technical or investigative rank.)
Major (large departments)
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant (rank may have grades in large departments)

text: Officers[edit]

text:
Detective
Police Officer (rank may have different grades, such as Senior Officer, Master Officer, etc.)
Police Cadet
Recruit

text: Note: Ranks can be omitted or added as needed and the structure is often determined by individual municipalities. The structure is usually pseudo-military.

text: Venezuela[edit]

text:
Comisonado General
Comisonado Jefe
Comisonado Agregado
Comisonado
Subcomisionado
Supervisor Jefe
Supervisor Agregado
Supervisor
Inspector Jefe
Inspector
Subinspector
Sargento Mayor Supervisor
Sargento Mayor
Sargento I
Sargento II
Cabo I
Cabo II
Distinguido
Agente[19]

text: Vietnam[edit]

text: Công an Nhân dân Việt Nam - Vietnam People's Public Security

text: Commissioned officers[edit]

text: Highest Rank[edit]

text:
Đại tướng Công an - Police General - only held by the Minister of Public Security
Thượng tướng Công an - Police Colonel General - usually held by the Deputy Ministers of Public Security
Trung tướng Công an - Police Lieutenant General - usually held by the Directors of General Departments of Ministry, Directors of Hanoi Police Department and Directors of Ho Chi Minh City Police Department
Thiếu tướng Công an - Police Major General - usually held by Vice Directors of General Departments of Ministry, Directors of Departments of Ministry

text: Middle Rank[edit]

text:
Đại tá Công an - Police Brigadier - usually held by Directors of Municipality and Province Police Departments
Thượng tá Công an - Police Colonel - usually held by Chiefs of City, Town and District Police
Trung tá Công an - Police Lieutenant Colonel - usually held by Chiefs of Ward and Commune Police
Thiếu tá Công an - Police Major

text: Low Rank[edit]

text:
Đại úy Công an - Police Captain
Thượng úy Công an - Police Senior Lieutenant
Trung úy Công an - Police 1st Lieutenant
Thiếu úy Công an - Police Sub-Lieutenant (2nd Lieutenant).

text: Non-commissioned officers[edit]

text:
Thượng sĩ - Staff Sergeant
Trung sĩ - Sergeant
Hạ sĩ - Corporal

text: Policemen[edit]

text:
Chiến sĩ bậc 1 - Policeman 1st Class
Chiến sĩ bậc 2 - Policeman


document_title: Procedures of the Supreme Court of the United States

question_text: when does the supreme court use original jurisdiction

root

text: Terms and sittings[edit]

text: A term of the Supreme Court commences on the first Monday of each October, and continues until June or early July of the following year. Each term consists of alternating periods of approximately two weeks known as "sittings" and "recesses." Justices hear cases and deliver rulings during sittings; they discuss cases and write opinions during recesses.

tag: p

text: The Court's authority to hear cases[edit]

text: Appellate jurisdiction[edit]

text: In nearly all of the cases heard by the Supreme Court, the Court exercises the appellate jurisdiction granted it by Article III of the Constitution. This authority permits the Court to review—and affirm or overturn—decisions made by lower courts and tribunals. Procedures for bringing cases before the Supreme Court have changed significantly over time. Today, cases are brought before the Supreme Court by one of several methods, of which the first two account for the overwhelming majority of cases decided:

text:
By petition for a writ of certiorari, filed by a party to a case that has been decided by one of the United States courts of appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
By petition for writ of certiorari with respect to a decision of one of the territorial or state courts, after all state appeals have been exhausted, where an issue of federal constitutional or statutory law is in question. The writ is usually issued to a state supreme court (including high courts of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), but is occasionally issued to a state's intermediate appellate court for cases where the state supreme court denied certiorari or review and thereby refused to hear the appeal.
By petition for certiorari before judgment, which permits the Court to expedite a case pending before a United States court of appeals by accepting the case for review before the appellate court has decided it. However, Supreme Court Rule 11 provides that a case may be taken by the Court before judgment in a lower court "only upon a showing that the case is of such imperative public importance as to justify deviation from normal appellate practice and to require immediate determination in this Court."
By appeal from certain decisions of United States district courts in certain cases involving redistricting of congressional or state legislative districts, or when specifically authorized in a particular statute.
By a certified question or proposition of law from one of the United States Courts of Appeals, meaning that the Court of Appeals requests the Supreme Court to instruct it on how to decide the case. This procedure was once common but is now rarely invoked; the last certificate accepted for review was in 1981.
By petition for an "extraordinary writ" such as mandamus, prohibition, or habeas corpus. These writs are rarely granted by the Supreme Court though they are more frequently granted by lower courts.

tag: ul

text: Original jurisdiction[edit]

text: Certain cases that have not been considered by a lower court may be heard by the Supreme Court in the first instance under what is termed original jurisdiction. The Supreme Court's authority in this respect is also derived from Article III of the Constitution, which states that the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction "in all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party." The original jurisdiction of the Court is set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1251. This statute provides further that, in the case of disputes between two or more states, the Supreme Court holds both original and exclusive jurisdiction and no lower court may hear such cases.

text: The number of original jurisdiction cases heard by the court is small; generally only one or two such cases are heard per term. Because the nine-member Supreme Court is not well-suited to conducting pretrial proceedings or trials, original jurisdiction cases accepted by the Court are typically referred to a well-qualified lawyer or lower-court judge to serve as special master, conduct the proceedings, and report recommendations to the Court. The Court then considers whether to accept the special master's report or whether to sustain any exceptions filed to the report.

text: Although jury trials are in theory possible in the Court's original jurisdiction cases, there has not been one since Georgia v. Brailsford in 1794.[1] In 1950, in the case United States v. Louisiana, the state of Louisiana moved for a jury trial, but the Court denied the motion, ruling that the suit was an equity action and not an action at law, and that therefore the Seventh Amendment guarantee of a jury trial did not apply. If a matter involving an action at law did come before the court, however, a jury would likely be empaneled and would hear the case alongside the justices of the Court.[2]

text: Selection of cases[edit]

text: Since the Judiciary Act of 1925 ("The Certiorari Act" in some texts), the majority of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction has been discretionary.[3] Each year, the court receives approximately 9,000–10,000 petitions for certiorari, of which less than 1% (approximately 80–100), are granted plenary review with oral arguments, and an additional 50 to 60 are disposed of without plenary review.[4][5]

text: The Court strictly enforces its requirements for the preparation and timely filing of certiorari petitions, in order to manage such a massive caseload. This occasionally results in harsh consequences, as Justice Thomas acknowledged in a 2007 opinion: "Just a few months ago, the Clerk, pursuant to this Court’s Rule 13.2, refused to accept a petition for certiorari submitted by Ryan Heath Dickson because it had been filed one day late ... Dickson was executed on April 26, 2007, without any Member of this Court having even seen his petition for certiorari. The rejected certiorari petition was Dickson’s first in this Court, and one can only speculate as to whether denial of that petition would have been a foregone conclusion."[6]

text: In theory, each Justice's clerks write a brief for the Justice outlining the questions presented, and offering a recommendation as to whether certiorari should be granted; in practice, most Justices (all of the current court, except Justices Alito and Gorsuch) have their clerks participate in the cert pool.[7][8][9]

text: During the Justices' regular conference, the Justices discuss the petitions, and grant certiorari in less than five percent of the cases filed. (During the 1980s and 1990s, the number of cases accepted and decided each term approached 150 per year; more recently, the number of cases granted has averaged well under 100 annually). Before each conference, the Chief Justice prepares a list of those petitions he believes have sufficient merit to warrant discussion. Any other Justice may also add a case to the "discuss list"; cases not designated for discussion by any Justice are automatically denied review. The Court or a Justice may also decide that a case be "re-listed" for discussion at a later conference; this occurs, for example, where the Court decides to request input from the Solicitor General of the United States on whether a petition should be granted.[10]

text: The votes of four Justices at Conference (see Rule of four) will suffice to grant certiorari and place the case on the court's calendar. If the Supreme Court grants certiorari (or the certified question or other extraordinary writ), then a briefing schedule is arranged for the parties to submit their briefs in favor of or against a particular form of relief. During this time, an individual or group having an interest in a case but not a party to the case may submit a motion to appear before the court as amicus curiae ("friend of the court"). Except for certain specific categories (such as lawyers for state and local governments) or where all parties to the case consent, it is in the Court's discretion whether such motions are granted.

text: The grant or denial of certiorari petitions by the Court are usually issued as one-sentence orders without explanation.

text: Cases that fall within the Court's original jurisdiction are initiated by filing a complaint directly with the Supreme Court, and normally are assigned to a special master appointed by the Court for the taking of evidence and making recommendations, after which the Court may accept briefs and hear oral arguments as in an appellate case.

text: Hearing cases[edit]

text: Filing briefs[edit]

text: Before oral arguments, the parties to a case file legal briefs outlining their arguments. An amicus curiae may also submit a brief in support of a particular outcome in the case if the Court grants it permission. Formal rules govern every aspect of these briefs; Chief Justice William Rehnquist described the rules thus:

text: Oral arguments[edit]

text: Thereafter, if the Court chooses to hold a hearing, each side has thirty minutes to present its case orally. In exceptional and controversial cases, however, the time limit may be extended. In the Court's early years, attorneys might argue a single case for hours or even days; but as the judicial workload increased, the time available for argument has been restricted. The late Chief Justice Rehnquist was noted for his especially strict enforcement of the argument time limits.

text: To file pleadings or to argue a case, an attorney must be a member of the bar of the Court. (The primary requirement for admission to the Bar is that the attorney must have been admitted to practice in the highest court of a state or territory for at least the past three years.) Justices are allowed to interrupt the attorney speaking in order to ask him or her questions, and particularly since the arrival of Justice Antonin Scalia in 1986, do so often.[12]

text: The Court began recording Oral Arguments in October 1955.[13] Beginning in October 2010, the Supreme Court began the practice of posting recordings and transcripts of the oral arguments made during the preceding week on Fridays on the Court's website.

text: In an interview for C-SPAN, former Justice Scalia, speaking for himself, noted that by the time the Justices hear oral arguments, having read the submissions by the parties and amici, it is "very rare, though not unheard of", for the discussion during the oral arguments to change his view of a case in which he has already made up his mind based on the submissions and his research about the case. However, he also made the point that it is "quite common" for him to go into Oral Arguments with his mind not made up yet, as the cases are usually very hard and difficult, and that in those situations a persuasive attorney can make the difference for him.[14]

text: Forming opinions[edit]

text: The conference: assignment of opinions[edit]

text: At the end of a week in which the Court has heard oral arguments, the Justices hold a conference to discuss the cases and vote on any new petitions of certiorari. The Justices discuss the points of law at issue in the cases. No clerks are permitted to be present, which would make it exceedingly difficult for a justice without a firm grasp of the matters at hand to participate.[15] At this conference, each justice—in order from most to least senior—states the basis on which he or she would decide the case, and a preliminary vote is taken.

text: Former Justice Scalia professed frustration that there is little substantive discussion,[16] while former Chief Justice Rehnquist wrote that this makes the conference more efficient.[17] The votes are tallied, and the responsibility for writing the opinion in the case is assigned to one of the justices; the most senior Justice voting in the majority (but always the Chief Justice if he is in the majority) makes the assignment, and can assign the responsibility to him- or herself.

text: Circulating draft opinions and changing of views[edit]

text: The justice writing the opinion for the court will produce and circulate a draft opinion to the other justices. Each justice's law clerks may be involved in this phase. In modern Supreme Court history only a few justices, such as former Justice Antonin Scalia, have regularly written their own first drafts.[18] Once the draft opinion has been reviewed, the remaining Justices may recommend changes to the opinion. Whether these changes are accommodated depends on the legal philosophy of the drafters as well as on how strong a majority the opinion garnered at conference. A justice may instead simply join the opinion at that point without comment.

text: Votes at conference are preliminary; while opinions are being circulated, it is not unheard of for a justice to change sides. A justice may be swayed by the persuasiveness (or lack thereof) of the opinion or dissent, or as a result of reflection and discussion on the points of law at issue.

text: The evolution of the justices' views during the circulation of draft opinions can change the outcome of the case; an opinion that begins as a majority opinion can become a dissenting opinion, and vice versa. At the conference for Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Justice Kennedy is said to have initially voted with Chief Justice Rehnquist, but then changed his mind, feeling unable to join Rehnquist's draft opinion.[19] While working for the Justice Department, present-day Chief Justice John Roberts—a former Rehnquist law clerk—wrote an analysis of Wallace v. Jaffree[20] in which he indicated his belief (based on the length and structure) that Rehnquist's dissent had started out as an opinion for the court, but lost its majority; similar speculation is often heard of Justice O'Connor's dissent in Kelo v. New London.[21] Justice Kennedy is known within the Court for changing his mind subsequent to the conference, and Justice Thomas is known for having the tendency to lose a majority.[22] Justices may change sides at any time prior to the handing down of the Court's opinion. Generally, the Court's decision is the opinion which a majority (five or more) of justices have joined. In rare instances, the Court will issue a plurality opinion in which four or fewer Justices agree on one opinion, but the others are so fractured that they cannot agree on a position. In this circumstance, in order to determine what the decision is lawyers and judges will analyze the opinions to determine on which points a majority agrees. An example of a case decided by a plurality opinion is Hamdi v. Rumsfeld.

text: A justice voting with the majority may write a concurring opinion; this is an opinion where the justice agrees with the majority holding itself, but where he or she wishes to express views on the legal elements of the case that are not encompassed in the majority opinion. Justices who do not agree with the decision made by the majority may also submit dissenting opinions, which may give alternative legal viewpoints. Dissenting opinions carry no legal weight or precedent, but they can set the argument for future cases. John Marshall Harlan's dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson set down for the majority opinion later in Brown v. Board of Education.

text: After granting a writ of certiorari and accepting a case for review, the justices may decide against further review of the case. For example, the Court may feel the case presented during oral arguments did not present the constitutional issues in a clear-cut way, and that adjudication of these issues is better deferred until a suitable case comes before the court. In this event the writ of certiorari is "dismissed as improvidently granted" (DIG)—saying, in effect that the Court should not have accepted the case. As with the granting or denial of cert, this dismissal is customarily made using a simple per curiam decision without explanation.[23]

text: Customarily, justices who were not seated at the time oral arguments were heard by the Supreme Court do not participate in the formulation of an opinion. Likewise, a justice leaving the Court prior to the handing down of an opinion does not take part in the Court's opinion. Should the composition of the Court materially affect the outcome of a pending case, the justices will likely elect to reschedule the case for rehearing.

text: Tied votes and lack of quorum[edit]

text: If not all of the nine justices vote on a case, or the Court has a vacancy, then a tied vote is possible. If this occurs, then the decision of the court below is affirmed, but the case is not considered to be binding precedent. The effect is a return to the status quo ante. No opinions (or voting alignments) are issued in such a case, only the one-sentence announcement that "[t]he judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court." Omega S.A. v. Costco Wholesale Corp. is an example of such a case. The court tries to avoid such rulings when possible: After the retirement of Justice O'Connor in 2006 three cases would have ended with a tie. All cases were reargued to allow the newly appointed Samuel Alito to cast a decisive vote.

text: A quorum of justices to hear and decide a case is six. If, through recusals or vacancies, fewer than six justices can participate in a case, and a majority of qualified justices determines that the case cannot be heard in the next term, then the decision of the court below is affirmed as if the Court had been equally divided on the case. An exception exists when this situation arises in one of the now-rare cases brought directly to the Supreme Court on appeal from a United States District Court; in this situation, the case is referred to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the corresponding circuit for a final decision there by either the Court of Appeals sitting en banc, or a panel consisting of the three most senior active circuit judges.[24]

text: Announcement of opinions[edit]

text: Throughout the term, but mostly during the last months of the term—May, June, and, if necessary, July—the Court announces its opinions. The decision of the Court is subsequently published, first as a slip opinion, and subsequently in the United States Reports. In recent years, opinions have been available on the Supreme Court's website and other legal websites on the morning they are announced. Since recording devices have been banned inside the courtroom, the fastest way for decisions of landmark cases to reach the press is through the Running of the Interns.[25]

text: The opinion of the Court is usually signed by the author; occasionally, the Supreme Court may issue an unsigned opinion per curiam. The practice of issuing a single opinion of the Court was initiated during the tenure of Chief Justice John Marshall during the early 19th century. This custom replaced the previous practice under which each Justice, whether in the majority or the minority, issued a separate opinion. The older practice is still followed by appellate courts in many common law jurisdictions outside the United States.

text: Reporting and citation of cases[edit]

text: Supreme Court decisions are typically cited as in the following example: "Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)." The court citation consists of the names of the opposing parties; the volume number; "U.S." (signifying United States Reports, the official reporter of Supreme Court decisions); the page number on which the decision begins; and the year in which the case was decided. The names of the opposing parties are listed in the format "Petitioner v. Respondent" or "Appellant v. Appellee." The Reporter of Decisions is responsible for publication of the Court's rulings. Two other widely used citation formats exist: the Supreme Court Reporter and the Lawyers' Edition, corresponding to two privately published collections of decisions. Citations to cases in the Supreme Court Reporter would be structured as follows: Snowden v. Hughes, 64 S. Ct. 397 (1944). Citations to cases in the Lawyers' Edition would be as follows: Snowden v. Hughes, 88 L. Ed. 497 (1944). Judicial opinions often use the citation from all three sources (the United States Reports, Supreme Court Reporter, and Lawyers' Edition), as seen here: Martin v. Texas, 200 U.S. 316, 26 S. Ct. 338, 50 L. Ed. 497 (1906). Since the 1930s, prior to publication of the decisions in these reporters, they are available from the United States Law Week (U.S.L.W.). In more recent years, opinions have been available electronically soon after they appeared on commercial sites such as Lexis or Westlaw, on Internet sites such as FindLaw and on the Court's own website.[26]

text: The Reporter of Decisions is the court official responsible for the publication of the Court's opinions and orders. The current Reporter of Decisions is Christine Luchok Fallon.

text: Decisions of the Supreme Court are precedents that bind all lower courts, both federal and state. The Supreme Court generally respects its own precedents, but has in some cases overturned them.