Police Ranks - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

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:

  • Police Constable
  • Sergeant
  • Inspector
  • Chief Inspector
  • Superintendent
  • Chief Superintendent

The standard 'Chief Officer' ranks outside of London are:

  • Assistant Chief Constable
  • Deputy Chief Constable
  • Chief Constable

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

  • Commander
  • Deputy Assistant Commissioner
  • Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
  • Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
  • Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis

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

  • Commander
  • Assistant Commissioner
  • Commissioner of the City of London Police

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 replaced, making them a Detective Constable.

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