Law & Government
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Median salary (BLS)
$106,040
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$63k – $165k
Job outlook
+3% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$200–$5,150
Time to qualify
1 yr
Renewal
—
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.
$0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source
- 2
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
Bar exam / state licensure / academy
LicenseLawyers: the state bar exam. Public-safety roles: a training academy plus state certification.
$200–$5,000 · 6 months · varies by state source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Entry / Junior
$63,350
~2 yrs to advance
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Established
$106,040
~3 yrs to advance
Senior First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Senior
$135,575
Key skills
A typical day
- •Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- •Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- •Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- •Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- •Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Law & Government
Explore all- Yale University5% admit · $105,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- Stanford University4% admit · $122,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.