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Police Captain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Police Captain

Coeur D Alene, ID ยท On-site

$116K - $163K/yr

Job Summary Police Captain Job FlyerCoeur d'Alene Police Department Website The Police Captain plans, organizes and manages an assigned division of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department to accomplish ...

Police Captain

Coeur D Alene, ID ยท On-site

$116K - $163K/yr

The Police Captain exercises independent judgment to direct others' work and have the authority to take corrective action, and utilizes people skills to communicate, motivate and direct a person ...

Police Captain

Matthews, NC ยท On-site

$92K - $142K/yr

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR POLICE CAPTAIN EMPLOYMENT WITH THE TOWN OF MATTHEWS With our ultimate goal of keeping our city safe, the Matthews Police Department is dedicated to attracting, recruiting ...

Police Captain

South Pasadena, CA ยท On-site

$161K - $216K/yr

In the absence of the Chief of Police, the Captain assumes Departmental command by acting as Chief of Police. The Captain assists in establishing objectives for and maintaining general charge of ...

Police Captain

Rockville, MD ยท On-site

$121K - $218K/yr

Exempt About the Position This Personnel Bulletin is being distributed to outline the requirements for promotion and the examination procedure for the rank of Police Captain. This document is not to ...

Police Captain

Rockville, MD ยท On-site

$121K - $218K/yr

About the Position This Personnel Bulletin is being distributed to outline the requirements for promotion and the examination procedure for the rank of Police Captain. This document is not to be ...

... Police Department, who meet the qualifications stated below. A Lieutenant must have served two (2) years as a Lieutenant as of the date of the test for Captain in order to qualify to take such test.

POLICE CAPTAIN

Washington, CT ยท On-site

$146K/yr

... Police Department, who meet the qualifications stated below. A Lieutenant must have served two (2) years as a Lieutenant as of the date of the test for Captain in order to qualify to take such test.

Police Captain

New Britain, CT ยท On-site

$113K - $142K/yr

We are currently recruiting for a Police Captain to work at our College Office, which is located in New Britain, CT. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive ...

Police Captain

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$99K - $123K/yr

Position Description The Captain will assist the chief in day-to-day leadership of the police department. This position will assist in oversight of both the patrol and the administrative divisions of ...

Police Captain

Goose Creek, SC ยท On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Current SC Criminal Justice Academy Police Officer (LE1) certification. * Must possess advanced law enforcement training. * Must possess or be able to obtain a valid South Carolina driver's license.

Police Captain

Caldwell, ID ยท On-site

$71.20/hr

Police Opening Date: 07/29/2026 Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain Description Plans, organizes, leads and manages an assigned group of the Caldwell Police Department to accomplish long-range ...

May lead any group of the Caldwell Police Department at the discretion of the Chief of Police. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of all programs assigned. Work requires the exercise of ...

Police Captain

Hampton, VA ยท On-site

$76K - $83K/yr

University Police Opening Date: 02/20/2026 Description Under limited supervision, this position is responsible for overall management and administration of a major functional area or bureau within ...

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Police Captain information

See salary details

$49K

$130.2K

$210.5K

How much do police captain jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for police captain in the United States is $130,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,000.00 and $172,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a police captain?

Police Captains are senior law enforcement officers who oversee and manage the operations of a police department or a specific division within it. They are responsible for supervising personnel, developing policies, coordinating investigations, and ensuring that their units comply with laws and departmental procedures. Police Captains also serve as liaisons between upper management and lower-ranking officers, and often represent their department in community meetings or public events. Their leadership is crucial in maintaining discipline, efficiency, and public trust within the police force.

How does a police captain typically support the professional development of their team members?

A Police Captain plays a pivotal role in mentoring and evaluating officers, providing regular feedback and guidance to promote both individual and team growth. Captains often identify training opportunities, facilitate workshops, and encourage officers to pursue specialized certifications or leadership programs. They also help set career goals during performance reviews and foster an environment where team members feel empowered to advance within the department. This supportive approach not only enhances team effectiveness but also strengthens retention and morale.

How much do police captains make in the police force?

Police captains typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $130,000, depending on the location, size of the department, and years of experience. They often oversee patrol, investigations, and administrative functions, requiring leadership skills and law enforcement certifications.

What does a police captain do?

A police captain is a high-level officer in a police department who is typically responsible for an entire district or precinct. As a police captain, you answer to the police chief. Your job duties include allocating budget resources to each section of your division, analyzing crime data to determine trends in your area, and providing information to the press about ongoing or resolved investigations. You need strong leadership skills and significant experience as a police officer to be eligible for a job as a police captain.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a police captain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Police Captain, you need extensive law enforcement experience, strong leadership abilities, and typically a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field. Familiarity with police management systems, incident reporting software, and completion of advanced supervisory training or certifications such as FBI National Academy are often required. Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills help you lead teams effectively and maintain public trust. These competencies are essential for ensuring operational efficiency, upholding departmental standards, and fostering community safety.

What is the difference between Police Captain vs Police Lieutenant?

AspectPolice CaptainPolice Lieutenant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, police academy training, supervisory experienceHigh school diploma or GED, police academy training, supervisory experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple precincts or divisions, administrative dutiesManages specific units or shifts, field supervision
Employer & Industry UsagePolice departments, law enforcement agenciesPolice departments, law enforcement agencies
Common Search & ComparisonPolice Captain vs Police Lieutenant

The main difference between a Police Captain and a Police Lieutenant lies in their level of responsibility and scope of oversight. Police Captains typically oversee entire divisions or multiple precincts and focus on administrative and strategic planning. Police Lieutenants usually manage specific units or shifts, with a more direct role in field supervision. Both roles require similar credentials and are integral to law enforcement hierarchies, but their duties and areas of focus differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Police Captain jobs? Cities with the most Police Captain job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Police Captain jobs? The top employers for Police Captain jobs are:
What states have the most Police Captain jobs? States with the most job openings for Police Captain jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Police Captain jobs? For Police Captain jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Police Captain job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,202 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Police Captain

City of Coeur d'Alene

Coeur D Alene, ID โ€ข On-site

$116K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Job Summary Police Captain Job FlyerCoeur d'Alene Police Department Website The Police Captain plans, organizes and manages an assigned division of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department to accomplish long-range community policing goals. Work requires the exercise of considerable initiative and judgment and is reviewed for accomplishment of objectives and for effectiveness of law enforcement services provided by the division managed. The position requires leadership responsibilities for employees assigned to the division.

Each Division (Support Services or Patrol) could have a multitude of responsibilities including Special Events, Traffic Unit Records, Investigations, Sergeants, SROs or Task Force. In the absence of the Police Chief, the Captain would assume that role. The Police Captain exercises independent judgment to direct others' work and have the authority to take corrective action, and utilizes people skills to communicate, motivate and direct a person, group, or division.

Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as are time management and organizational skills. The Police Captain requires an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement or related field, Idaho POST Basic certification with eligibility for Intermediate and Supervisory certifications, and eight (8) years' of law enforcement experience with two (2) years as a Lieutenant. This position is required to supervise employees during the performance of critical incident functions which require employees to qualify to carry firearms, perform emergency medical, and/or lifesaving activities.

The work is accomplished primarily in an office environment but situations arise wherein the employee is subject to dangerous, potentially life-threatening events, and inclement weather. Examples of Duties (illustrative only and may vary by assignment) Plans, organizes and manages an assigned division of the Police Department; Supervises division sworn and civilian staff directly and through subordinate supervisors; recommends and/or effects the full range of duties (with appropriate managerial review), including hiring, performance evaluations, transferring, promoting, assigning of significant duties, rewarding, disciplining and terminating employment; Establishes and maintains a culture of professionalism and community engagement between members of the department and the citizens and visitors to the City of Coeur d'Alene; Plans for the build out population of the city through forecasting the staffing needs of the department and develops a succession plan to fill any leadership or knowledge gaps presented; Assesses strength of staff, assigns and reassigns workload; Identifies personnel and equipment resources needed to meet work demands; Advises staff on current issues, instructions, policies and other matters of importance; Deals with employee performance and personnel situations; Addresses allegations of misconduct through fair and impartial investigations and evaluates conduct; Assists in preparing and manages division budget; monitors and approves division purchases; Establishes division goals, objectives and priorities; Develops policing strategy to include community engagement, intelligence led policing methods, COMPSTAT based assessment of effectiveness and the mentoring of mid-level managers to analyze existing practices and recommend improvements and changes as needed; Optimizes the use of technology in policing while maintaining compliance with public records laws and balancing the cost/benefit of the efficiencies provided against the impact on the budget; Maintains proficiency in the fundamentals of policing such as shooting, defensive tactics and patrol procedures in addition to remaining up to date with case law and emerging trends in the field of law enforcement to ensure quality improvement; Prepares management and administrative reports; Consults with management staff, the public, legal advisors and representatives of other agencies regarding division activities. Interprets and advises on policies, rules and regulations; Works with community groups as well as citizens on law enforcement activities, citizen concerns, etc.; offers ideas and solutions; Manages and supervises major events (planned and unplanned), crime scenes, field activities, etc

Analyzes and recommends approaches to address current and anticipated law enforcement challenges; Identifies trends and developments in law enforcement and recommends changes in organization, staffing and operating procedures; Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations to protect and serve the community; Represents the Department in projects or programs involving other agencies or jurisdictions; Makes presentations to governmental agencies, the media, community groups and a variety of civic organizations; Provides extensive customer service, education, and information to the public; Plans, organizes, and conducts special projects as assigned; Responds to management's, supervisor's, co-workers' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous, thorough and timely manner; Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities; Maintains strict confidentiality of all matters; Assists other department and City employees as needed or requested; Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices. Secondary Duties and Responsibilities: Prepares and reviews reports on special projects as assigned by the Chief; Works with other public safety partners on special events or programs; On call to respond to major incidents or matters of critical importance to the Department; Review investigations to ensure compliance with department standards; Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements Associate's Degree is required and a Bachelor's degree is preferred in Criminal Justice, Business Management or a related field; Eight (8) years of law enforcement experience with at least two (2) years at the level of Lieutenant; Idaho Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) Basic certification with eligibility for Intermediate and Supervisor Certifications or the ability to obtain Intermediate and Supervisor Certification within one (1) year of appointment; Valid driver's license; or An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

Supplemental Information The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position. Knowledge of: Advanced knowledge of modern procedures, practices and methods of police administration; Pertinent federal, state and city laws, statutes and ordinances; Principles and practices of supervision and management. Skill and Ability to: Effectively plan, manage and coordinate a law enforcement division; Analyze organizational and operational challenges and recommend improvements; Develop and implement innovative programs, policies and work place practices; Effectively direct and manage the work activities of a large staff; Deal effectively with employee performance problems; Analyze emergency situations and act promptly and appropriately; Analyze and evaluate complex situations and recommend alternatives; Analyze current budget and recommend future budget needs; Display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all level of City employees, the general public and other organizations; Demonstrate a high level of organizational and interpersonal communication skills; Utilize strong analytical skills to conduct research and manage special projects; Multi-task and independently handle a wide variety of issues; Communicate effectively in writing and speech; Address complex issues and handle potentially difficult situations; Use good judgment in problem solving and decision making; Communicate facts in an understandable manner and present recommendations in a clear, concise, logical manner; Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports; Use English and speak clearly for understanding; Maintain a professional demeanor at all times; Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity in the performance of assigned tasks and solving problems; Perform all duties in accordance with City policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. This position is required to supervise employees during the performance of critical incident functions which require employees to qualify to carry firearms, perform emergency medical, lifesaving and/or fire suppression activities.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 20 lbs. Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 35 lbs.

The noise level is occasionally loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, touch and feel. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Employees will sit, stand, walk, run, reach and grasp. Position requires hand/finger dexterity. The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, with areas of dust, odors, mist, gases or other airborne matter.

Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids, and chemicals.