Discussion: "Ranks: What do they mean to you?"

[Jcstodds]

 Hey guys, well, an interesting concept I think. There are 5 main ranks that currently make up the operation and service of a Police Department.
Each rank has certain responsibilities, duties and perks - But what the hell are they?! Of course this varies for every person. I will most likely have different view to others on this, and that is why I'm asking. I want to know what you guys think - all of you!

So then, what duties do you think Officers should be doing, what shouldn't the captains be indulging in? What perks should Senior Officers get that officers shouldn't? Discuss here the duties, perks and responsibilities you think each rank should have here, and who knows, magic might happen.

RANKS:
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Senior Officer
Officer


Will probably post my views on this later 

Edit: This is not a topic for requesting alternative ranks, commands and scripted perks, but more about the ethics and roles of the ranks. 

[jemerson]

Captain- Main administrative contact, inquieries should go to him or her that are administrative related before reaching a Chief. They are in charge of their department and have the say of what goes on. They can issue undercover rights, make the nesseary rank changes, and are there to see it that all daily operations of their department are running smoothly. Any department problems goes straight to them. They know everything about their department and strive to make it the best in the server. They work with other department Captains to make sure that unity and police protection exsists throughout the United States of Argonath.
Lietenuant- They are there to help the Captains, they will focus more closely on the Officers within their department. They will advise the Captain on suggested rank changes, up or down. They also have the power to give out Undercover Rights but should only do so for small operations or with permission from the Captain. They will answer all department questions and if they don't know it they will go to the Captain. Captains should go to Lietenuants for advise on department changes.
Sergeant-(This was written for LSPD, just change it to your department) You are there to ensure that all LSPD Officers, SAPD Cadets, and all Free Officers within our jurisdiction of Los Santos are following proper procedures and protocol.

For LSPD Officers you are there to respond to their calls, be the "guiding hand" for them. You will respond to the highest priority calls where a leader is needed. You will be expected to coordinate units, make sure civilians are safe, and out of the way. You can be responsible for anything that happens or anything that does not happen that needs to happen under your command.

People will come to you looking for assistance and you need to be ready to answer all questions, or at least know where to find the answers. Suspects often as you have seen will complain that they have been abused or incorrectly suspected. You will need to make sure that any civilian requesting a investigation gets a fair investigation. If they were unfairly suspected you must use the /cancelsuspect on them as such. "Abused, Investigated" or "Misunderstanding, Investigated". The investigation goes a lot more then this however. You must let the civilian go and say sorry for the trouble, and then let the suspecting Officer know what he or she did wrong. The best thing you can do as a Sergeant is teach people, you need to be the change you want to see in the LSPD and in the SAPD in general. People look up to you and follow what you do, so always be sure you are following the rules yourself.

Sergeants are expected to stay on duty most of the time. I personally feel a Sergeant should never be off duty. If you are off duty you will be expected to go on duty to lead a high priority call when no other ranking Officer is available.

Although you do have the power to unsuspect, I can tell you through experience its best to be laid back. As a Sergeant you are not a administrator/moderator (Unless you actually are) and you need to look at things from a police perspective, not a administrative perspective. Only unsuspect people without investigation if the request comes form the Officer who suspected the person. In that case you will use a reason like such "/cancelsuspect ID Requested by Suspecting Officer". Otherwise a investigation needs to be completed as to why the person is requesting to be or have someone unsuspected. Killbugs, and other type of suspect reasons that fall out of police power need to be left to the Argonath Administration. If there are no administrators online, you can however investigate killbugs by PMing the "Murdered" and find out if they actually were. Again I would be laid back on this and only use it when absolutely necessary.

There is also something that is often forgotten or looked over. We are part of the SAPD and must follow their procedures, Free Officers are not part of any organization and are not expected to follow our regulations. A Free Officer is allowed to give someone a $5000 dollar ticket if he deems necessary, all we can do is advise. If you are commanding a 207 and a Free Officer does not follow a order given to all Officers then so be it. There is nothing we can do about it. If the Free Officer has a open cadet application then by all means post there or make a report, but please remember we only have rights over SAPD Officers. While the above is true, you are still the "guiding hand" as I call it. You will see Free Officers breaking server rules, it is your job to teach them the "proper way". They will often embrace your help and thank you for it. These are the SAPD Officers tomorrow. Some people need more help then others, again, you need to be the change you want to see in the SAPD and in Argonath.
Senior Officer- Has no rank power, but Officers should go to them with questions or advice.
Patrol Officer- There to respond to 911 calls, make traffic stops and make arrests. They are the "billboards" of the force.

[Bianconeri]

that really is a good overview Emerson,doubt i will get that far 

Captain- main contact point for all other ranks ingame, active help for the Chiefs
should always be on duty, and able to help officers with leading big operation,
also helping out with questions and problems

able to change ranks within the ARPD, up and down, leaders of their departments(LSPD etc..)
contact point for all members within that department, giving out the jobs inside the department,
appointing members to jobs(like UC) making the daily work run good
also freecops/cadets should be able to get some help from Captains,
they are a ''role-model'' for others

contact point for complaints against other ARPD members, inside investigations about corruption
making decision in it with other command staff

LT. the right-hand of the Captain, helping them in decisions and giving them points to work on,
also watching officers in there behaviour/acts, and if needed report to a Capt.
should be possible to lead big operations, and in helping new police officers
should be helpfull/trustable and almost always on duty

also the right hand in the Departments, helping the members if Captain isnt available

Sergeant very experienced officers, able to cancelsuspect but have to make sure that it is investigated,
this officers are mostly the field workers of the command staff, able to lead in big operations
contact point for all officers for questions and problems

must be able to respond at important calls at any time, also when you are off duty, which you cant be often

biggest contact point in the training of new officers, almost always one availabe
patrolling with them and learning them the basics

must be able to perform investigations, will be contacted fast by criminals that claim to be abused
they are as there to guide the work into good lines, helping ppl with the police work,
aiding ppl, if something goes wrong try to stop them

the field worker contact point for the Command staff, can be called for operations out in the field,
works most day out in the city and the fields.

most important training rank, really much experience to teach freecops/cadets
available for trainings often, available in the field where higher ranks are more busy with other stuff

Senior officer doesnt have rank related powers, they are the veteran officers,
around in the force for a while, knowing all procedures
fast contact point for the officer and down and able to help them with most problems

must be able to lead big operation in good ways, in case Sergeant up isnt available

Officer the real field workers of the ARPD, out on patrol, doing traffic stops and responding to calls
for freecops/cadets a still close contact point to patrol with, they know how it goes and can help them
with the basics

must know the basics of leading a big operation, not expected to do perfect operation,
but in case its really needed able to lead

[RoryAnstruther]

Well since everyone's gone into long drawn out explanations I'll keep my short and simple for easy reading


Captain
Oversee the operations of the Police Department as a whole, ensure everything is going to protocol. Top line of supervisor supervision (Sgt, Lt.), and handles all situations other supervisors cant. Handles promotions, demotions, terminations, and applicants, as well as designating these duties to lower ranking supervisors. Acts at the Deputy Chief's assistant, and maintains order within the Department. The Captain is also responsible for good organization and leadership in administration. The Captain pays more attention to the operations of the Department, more than patrol. Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Police.

Lieutenant
Maintains order amongst Sergeants, produces training and organization control, while maintaining patrol responsibilities. The Lieutenant is expected to have his hand in all large operations, and oversee patrol operations. The Lieutenant is also the low end of the Command Staff, so the Lieutenant is an internal affairs investigator, as well as a bottom line supervisor instructor. The Lieutenant should always be on duty, and free from criminal affiliation to better enhance the department as a whole. The Lieutenant is responsible for ensuring the Department's duties are going to protocol, dealing with emergency cases of police corruption, and also that the wishes of Command Staff are linked down to the Sergeants and Senior Officers. Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Police.

Sergeant
The Police Sergeant maintains order amongst patrol officers, ensures that department policy and regulations are maintained and enforced, and provides the highest expectancy of professionalism and efficiency in law enforcement. The Sergeant is expected to be the "top dog" of patrol, knowing procedures and what to do in any given situation, while supervising lower ranks. The Sergeant is a respected member amongst the Department, who is trusted to know what to do, experienced in his line of work, and is trusted to handle situations correctly. The Sergeant is also the one who should maintain and supervise training of Cadets and Freecops, as well as maintaining their responsibilities of patrol, responding to emergencies. Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Police.

Senior Officer
The Senior Officer is the officers who have shown exceptionally well police service, knowledge of law, and role play skills who have served for a reasonable time on the Department that stand out from the others. The Senior Officer is the first line of supervision, where they advise lower ranking police personnel on what to do in particular situations, as well as providing assistance to the enhancement of their career, while maintaining their level of expectancy on patrol. The Senior Officer is a regular officer with a title to show his advanced knowledge in law and role play ability. Senior Officers should be the first ones to administer training to new Officers, Cadets, and Freecops.

Officer
Respond to all emergencies, handle requests for police service, and provide crime reduction through street patrol. The Officer is not expected to have any supervision authority, and is expected only to provide law enforcement to the community.

[Cane]

To me, they're all just different titles with different amounts of respect given, and different abilities to do different things. Yes, I like the word 'different'.

[Chief J. Schappell]

I both agree and disagree with what is stated above for Senior Officers. Being that they are more experienced Officers, I agree. However, on the fact that they don't have anymore power than Officers, I have to slightly disagree. Senior Officers should be operating at expectancy levels of Sgt.'s, but doing so in the Officer's field. This enables them to be working at the professional level of ranks above them, but doing so in an environment that previous ranks are currently working in. In other words, they should perform like Sgt.'s, but do the jobs of Officers. Almost like a Deputy Sgt., I guess you could call it.

[GiacJr]

I would reply with my meanings, but I think I'd just be repeating points said in other posts 

[jemerson]

I don't consider a Senior Officer having rank over any officer, except be a "guiding hand" like a Sergeant.

[Shawn Edwards]

To me, they're all just different titles with different amounts of respect given, and different abilities to do different things. Yes, I like the word 'different'.

I both agree and disagree with what is stated above for Senior Officers. Being that they are more experienced Officers, I agree. However, on the fact that they don't have anymore power than Officers, I have to slightly disagree. Senior Officers should be operating at expectancy levels of Sgt.'s, but doing so in the Officer's field. This enables them to be working at the professional level of ranks above them, but doing so in an environment that previous ranks are currently working in. In other words, they should perform like Sgt.'s, but do the jobs of Officers. Almost like a Deputy Sgt., I guess you could call it.

[Alsatian]

To me, they're all just different titles with different amounts of respect given, and different abilities to do different things. Yes, I like the word 'different'.

Respect should be equal amongst everyone risking their lives to keep the streets safer.

As Giac already mentioned, I too would post my definitions for each rank, but three have already been posted, all of which are excellent.

[Tovenaarke]

Captain
Right hand of the main commanders. Leads more specific tasks (gives commands in posts, leads main operations, checks the inner ARPD (deals with marks, problems, ...)

Lieutenant
Trusted by the command staff, can go UC, does bigger operations (drug busts, weapons, ...)

Sergeant
Trusted by the command staff. Brings ideas, leads operations, has field commands

Senior Officer
Old officer. Has a lot of exprience

Officer
Trained freecop. Knows the ARPD and its rules.

[Mac_Cabrazi]

Captain
Leader of their Department anything they say goes the only people who can boss them are the deputy chiefs and the Chief himself.  He can lead major situations like kidnappings, robberies or any other situation that requires the ARPD.  The captains can also issue Under Cover rights and should always be consulted before any Undercover mission starts.  They are also they people who you give illegal substances to so they can destroy them.  A captain needs leadership qualities
Lieutenant
Second in command of their Department.  They can also lead their team in any situation like the Captain can.  Also can issue undercover rights and if the captain isnt available you can give your illegal substances to the Lieutenant and he will make sure to give to the captain.  Like the captain the Lt. needs leadership qualities.  The Lt. answers to no one but the Cpt., Deputy Chiefs, and Chief
Sergeant
A police officer who has much field experience.  If you need help in anything this officer can help you.  He can suspect officers for corruption, lead operations, handle drug  busts, a man who can deliver weed to the higher rankings.  This is an officer you can trust, who has proven he is a great asset to the department.  Also the Sergeant can train cadets or be a teacher in a police Academy.
Senior Officer
An officer who has shown great service to the ARPD.  This is an officer who has been in every kind of situation and he is well experienced in the ARPD.  About up to 3 months of ARPD service (Officer) should get you this ranking.  Another trainer for cadets and teacher in the police academy.  They are also the ones who should achieve Undercover Rights and start as a detective.
Officer
An elite soldier who has finished his time in the Police Academy.

[ElMartu]

Captain - makes all decisions on his department, may contribute to SAPD-wide decisions.

Lieutenant - Aid captain in making department decisions, active players which can be easily contacted should anything happen

Sergeant - Should be the main contact between Captains and Officers, they are the main leaders of the field work

(Senior) Officer - Main patrollers, carry out normal work; senior officers should take the role of a sergeant if none of them are available at the moment.

[Lionel Valdes]

ARPD ranks is sticked in this forum , go to read it , btw why make this topic ?

[Janar]

Read the title; he wants to know, what those ranks mean to officers.

[Lionel Valdes]

ok , Thanks for information Janar_Jusuu

[~Legend~]

In my point of view, I would say each rank brings its own responsibilities.
I would dislike to think of it as "power", but more so as a higher responsibility as you climb the PD ladder.

What do they mean to me?
Well, I would say they are a sign, a token of appreciation for your loyalty and good efforts.

And on to respect...
Do higher ranks deserve more respect?
I believe that each member should be treated fairly and equally, although you must bear in mind that certain members have higher ranks, maybe because they earned them; which equally deserves respect to a certain extent.

This is quite an extensive topic, wow, a great variety of opinons in here!