Ranks
These are the ranks of the Houston Police Department:
| Rank | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Chief of Police | |
| Executive Assistant Chief of Police | |
| Assistant Chief of Police | |
| Police Captain | |
| Police Lieutenant | |
| Police Sergeant | |
| Senior Police Officer | |
| Police Officer | N/A |
Those with the rank of sergeant or above are issued gold badges and white hats whereas officers are issued silver badges and blue hats.
After 12 years of HPD service and obtaining a TCLEOSE Master Peace Officer certification, an officer becomes a senior officer, which is a non-supervisory rank.
Promotion to sergeant through captain all occur via a civil service formula that factors into account performance on the written examination for the respective rank (max. of 60 pts.), assessment score (max. of 40 pts.), years of service (max. of 10 pts.), and level of higher education (max. of 3 pts.) or 4 years of military service (max. of 1 pt.). Officers are eligible to take the sergeant's promotion exam after 5 years of service. Sergeants and lieutenants are eligible to take the promotion exam of the next higher rank after 2 years of service in their current rank. Candidates for lieutenant must hold at least 65 college hours or an associate's degree. Candidates for captain must hold at least a bachelor's degree.
Assistant chiefs of police and executive assistant chiefs of police are appointed by the chief of police with the approval of the mayor. Such individuals must hold at least a master's degree and have 5 years of HPD service.
Read more about this topic: Houston Police Department
Famous quotes containing the word ranks:
“Every woman who vacates a place in the teachers’ ranks and enters an unusual line of work, does two excellent things: she makes room for someone waiting for a place and helps to open a new vocation for herself and other women.”
—Frances E. Willard (1839–1898)
“I take such men to be inspired. I fancy that this moment Shakespeare in heaven ranks with Gabriel Raphael and Michael. And if another Messiah ever comes twill be in Shakespeare’s person.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)