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Public Safety

First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Annual openings

252

Median wage

$126,810

Typical education

No additional formal education beyond what is needed to become a Police Officer is expected.

Growth 2026–2032

+12%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

No additional formal education beyond what is needed to become a Police Officer is expected.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Credential detail

No additional credential beyond that needed as a Police Officer is expected.

Work experience

2-5 years work experience as a Police Officer/Detective is expected.

Employer competency information

Feedback from employers identifies the following competencies as being critical to support a successful move up to the Supervisor level

  • Communication — Continue to elevate communication skills for use with a team, client, and boss.
  • Teamwork — Consistently demonstrate the ability to work with, influence, and lead others.
  • Planning & Organizing — Strong time management skills with the ability to plan and organize the successful completion of tasks and projects for a team, adapting the plan to changing circumstances.
  • Instructing & Coaching — Move beyond being good at your job to being able to help other team members understand and develop the knowledge and skills needed to be successful at their jobs.
  • Working with tools and technology — Effectively utilize the tools and technology specific to your team.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. 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.
  2. Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
  3. Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
  4. Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
  5. Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
  6. Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
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