How to Prepare for Promotion to Police Captain

Promoting to the rank of police captain is a major milestone, but the path to success can be both demanding and competitive. Most likely, you will have already served as a lieutenant and sergeant before becoming eligible for promotion to captain. However, unlike those previous leadership roles, the rank of captain is often more administrative, requiring a new set of skills that you may not have had the opportunity to develop in your prior roles.

A Police Captain’s Primary Duties and Responsibilities

A police captain’s duties will depend on the agency, but they typically involve overseeing the operations of a department or precinct and managing both personnel and resources. They are often a key decision-maker within the department, involved in strategic planning, providing guidance and mentorship to officers and handling administrative duties such as budgeting and departmental reports.

Here are the typical duties and responsibilities of a Captain I within the LAPD:

• Inspecting and overseeing the functions of the patrol officers and detectives to ensure compliance with the department policies, procedures, regulations and standards
• Supervising the administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel
• Inspecting personnel, facilities and tactics for safety and/or training needs
• Serving as a liaison with municipal, governments and civic organizations
• Establishing relationships with citizens and community members

The Skills Needed to Help With a Police Captain Promotion

To earn a promotion to police captain, candidates must demonstrate a blend of leadership, tactical and interpersonal skills. Key competencies include:

• Leadership: Effective supervision of officers and managing department resources are critical. Captains must inspire confidence and guide teams through complex situations, including crisis management, public safety events, critical incidents, internal challenges and policy implementation.
• Strong communication skills: Both written and verbal communications skills are essential for conducting briefings, writing reports and ensuring clear communication with the public, officers and department leaders.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence: It’s crucial to understand the challenges faced by both the officers and the community they serve. Captains who demonstrate compassion can foster better teamwork, improve officer wellbeing and strengthen community trust.
• Problem-solving: A captain’s job often involves handling personnel conflicts, community issues and operational challenges, often with limited time and resources.
• Integrity: A senior leader is expected to set an example for officers, make ethical decisions, uphold the law and maintain transparency in all actions. Integrity fosters trust within the department and the community, reinforcing the professionalism and accountability of law enforcement.
• Favorable internal affairs history: Departments closely examine your record to ensure you’ve consistently upheld department policies, followed procedures and maintained professional conduct. A clean internal affairs history demonstrates your commitment to ethical behavior and accountability, which is essential for earning trust from both colleagues and the community.
• Ability to develop plans and manage complex projects: In this role, you’ll often be tasked with overseeing major initiatives such as crime reduction strategies, resource management and departmental improvements. This requires strong problem-solving abilities to identify issues, anticipate challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to manage budgets and grants: The financial aspect of law enforcement is crucial. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, balancing the department’s needs with financial constraints. You’ll need to create and manage budgets for various units, track expenses and make informed decisions to optimize spending.

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Years of Experience Needed to Become a Police Captain

The number of requisite years of law enforcement experience will vary depending on the department, but the average is around seven to 10 years. This includes time spent in various roles, such as officer, detective and sergeant.

Here are some examples:

• The Chicago Police Department requires at least 10 years of experience with the department as a sworn officer in addition to a bachelor’s degree and experience as a lieutenant.
• In the LAPD, you can advance to the Captain I level after you’ve completed one year as a lieutenant (in addition to passing the exam and interview). This includes serving at least two years as a sergeant or detective and four to five years as a patrol officer.
• The Sunriver Police Department in Sunriver, Oregon — a town of approximately 1,500 — prefers candidates with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice (or a related field) or 8–15 years of law enforcement experience, including specific experience as a police supervisor or manager.

Types of Experience Needed to Become a Police Captain

Earning the rank of police captain requires more than just time served in the department, especially since the role is so competitive. For example, the New York City Police Department, the largest in the United States, has 33,822 sworn officers but only 319 captains.

Most police captain positions follow a similar career trajectory: police (or patrol) officer, detective, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. In most agencies, advancement requires serving a specified number of years in each position. In some agencies, officers choose between the detective route or the supervisory path, as there are no corporals; the progression is sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, deputy chief, and chief.

Ultimately, how you navigate this path depends on your career goals and the opportunities available within your agency.

Additional experience includes:

• Working in the Professional Standards Section of Internal Affairs: This area typically handles investigations related to officer conduct, policy compliance and complaints against personnel. Gaining experience in this area enables officers to develop a deep understanding of departmental policies and ethics, as well as the procedures for maintaining accountability within the force. Working in Internal Affairs also enhances critical skills such as investigative techniques, conflict resolution and effective communication, which are essential for leadership roles.
• Experience with and knowledge of policies and procedures: Other valuable experiences include a strong understanding of policies and procedures, as well as effectively addressing personnel issues. This involves not only understanding the rules but also applying them in real-world scenarios, such as managing personnel issues, conducting investigations or implementing new initiatives. It’s crucial to have a comprehensive grasp of all aspects of the agency or department, including administrative functions, civilian interactions and community relations.

In general, the more experience you have, the more likely you are to be promoted, but other specific types of experience, such as a military background, a college degree, a willingness to take on new projects, extra assignments and community involvement are often part of the selection process for some agencies. Good performance records are a must for those advancing to a police captain role.

Many senior-level positions in police leadership, including police captain, require an advanced degree, though this varies by department and location.

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Preparing for the Promotional Process

Preparing for the promotional process to become a police captain requires a strategic approach and a commitment to personal and professional development. There are two major components — the written exam and oral boards.

Written Exam

The contents of the written exam will vary by department but, in general, you will answer questions on topics such as departmental policies and procedures, criminal law, legal concepts, leadership principles, ethical standards and integrity in law enforcement and scenarios involving critical thinking and problem-solving. Exams often contain a mix of multiple-choice, true/false and short answer questions.

To prepare, obtain study guides or practice tests. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are typically asked and practice answering under timed conditions. Many online resources offer practice exams and study material, and some agencies may even offer their own study guides or forms of exam assistance.

Oral Boards

Familiarize yourself with the specific components of the oral board, including written, interview and presentation expectations, focusing on leadership style and the “bigger picture” rather than just policies and procedures.

While it’s important to think specifically about what the leadership of a captain looks like in your agency or department, it can be helpful to learn about effective leadership by studying influential figures from various fields — such as military, business and sports — to enhance your understanding of team dynamics and communication.

Additional preparation tips include:

• Reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement: Identify your strengths and acknowledge areas where you can grow. Solicit feedback from both advocates and critics to gain a well-rounded perspective on your leadership style.
• Prepare for scenario-based questions: Anticipate questions that require you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, leadership approach and awareness of the potential impact of your decisions on the department and community. Use specific examples from your experience that highlight your leadership capabilities and the strategies you would employ as a captain.
• Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your responses and presentation multiple times to build confidence and ensure clarity in your delivery. Develop a clear structure for your answers, ensuring they have a beginning, middle, and end. This will help you stay focused and articulate your thoughts effectively during the oral board. Practice and sit for mock interviews as much as possible, and be mindful of body language, pace of speech and using filler words in your answers.
• Seek out advice from your mentor and other law enforcement leaders: Seeking a mentor is a required step in the promotional process and one that can significantly impact your career trajectory. Openly discussing your aspirations with your superiors can provide valuable guidance, open up networking opportunities and assist with career planning to help you achieve your goals. Talking to individuals who have successfully navigated the promotional process is invaluable. Your mentor and other law enforcement leaders can offer firsthand insights into what to expect, including tips for preparing for the oral board, managing stress and refining your leadership style. Their experiences can help you avoid common pitfalls, present yourself effectively and gain a clearer understanding of the expectations at the captain level.
• Be yourself: The assessors want to understand who you are as a leader, so be authentic and genuine in your responses, showcasing both your achievements and personal insights.

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Additional Career Preparation for Promotion to Captain

Preparing for a promotion to police captain requires ongoing professional development over the course of years. Your goal should be to go well beyond meeting minimum experience requirements. Engaging in additional training, mentorship and leadership opportunities can enhance your qualifications and position you for success in the promotional process.

• Seek out leadership training. This includes programs such as those offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA), FBI National Academy, Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF’s) Senior Management Institute for Police and any executive leadership programs offered by your state’s commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), which will vary by state. Note: Most of these training will require sponsorship from your agency in order to attend.
• Stay up to date on the latest policing news, trends and activity. A vested interest in current events and developments beyond your department or agency demonstrates that you take your profession and career seriously. This includes reading police leadership books and monitoring top police blogs and websites. Many law enforcement- and leadership-related podcasts also offer insightful information.
• Become involved. Network and connect with officers in your agency but also others in different organizations and departments. Join professional organizations, including any state-specific associations, state-level chief’s associations or those that represent your role special interests. Popular associations include:
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
  • FBI-LEEDA
  • FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (FBINAA)
  • National Tactical Officers’ Association
  • National Homicide Investigators Association
  • International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association.
  • National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives
  • Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association
  • National Latino Peace Officers Association
  • National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
  • National Asian Peace Officers’ Association
  • Fraternal Order of Police
  • Police Executive Research Forum
  • The American Society of Evidence-Based Policing
  • Your state association for chiefs of police

• Obtain valuable firsthand insight by talking with your chief, others on your command staff, and those currently in the role of Captain (either in your department or another). Engaging in conversations with current or former police captains provides invaluable firsthand insight into the challenges and responsibilities of the role. These discussions can offer practical guidance on navigating the promotional process, enhancing leadership skills and understanding the nuances of departmental dynamics, helping you prepare more effectively for the role.
• Seek a mentor. This is often a required step in the promotional process and an important one that can significantly impact your career trajectory. Openly discuss your aspirations with your superiors, as they can provide valuable guidance, facilitate networking opportunities and assist with career planning to help you achieve your goals.

How Education Can Help With Your Promotion to Captain

Promoting to the rank of captain requires more than just years of experience — it demands a mastery of leadership skills that go beyond day-to-day duties. Conflict resolution, effective communication, budgeting and managing organizational change are critical competencies that can’t be learned solely on the job. As you move up in rank, focusing on these skills will not only set you apart but also ensure that you’re prepared to lead your department and community with confidence and foresight.

Investing in yourself with an advanced degree like the nationally ranked MS in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership (LEPSL) can help you develop and refine the skills needed to not only perform well on the oral boards and exams, but to become a more effective leader with both the soft skills and hard skills to excel at any rank.

Capt. Steven Swetman of the Rochester Police Department in Rochester, NY, enrolled in the LEPSL program after evaluating the curriculum, structure, format and capstone class and determining that it met his professional growth needs as a current police captain. He said that he understood all too well the importance of a formal education when it comes to police leadership.

“Education is invaluable for a law enforcement leader,” Swetman said. “The LEPSL program challenged me to critically analyze and apply leadership and communication concepts that extend beyond what I’ve learned on the job. Every day, as a member of the chief’s staff, I discuss topics from my advanced studies, including technology, community engagement, policy development, budgeting, conflict resolution and contemporary issues. Through online discussions with hundreds of law enforcement professionals globally, I’ve gained insight into best practices and strategies my department can use to help us shape the future.”