NSW Police Ranks
| The rank structure and insignia of the NSW Police Force has changed somewhat due to the new restructure which took place in 2002. Gone are the light blue ‘Student Rank’. Students are now part of a separate initiation and are not Ministerial Employee’s as they used to be a few years back. During Student Phase recruits now wear civilian clothes and are not paid by the New South Wales Police Force. It is not until they reach their last phase of training that they actually receive an offer of employment and a uniform.The rank of Inspector is now also known as the ‘Duty Officer’ and this officer is in charge of the day to day running of each Local Area Command in the Commanders absence, above the Duty Officer (DO) is the Crime Manager who holds the rank of Chief Inspector in Category one LAC’s. LAC Commanders are of the rank of Superintendent in Metropolitan stations. An Assistant Commissioner is in charge of a ‘Region’ and the Deputy and Commissioner himself are in charge of all Officers.  
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CONSTABLE |
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SENIOR |
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INCREMENTAL |
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SERGEANT |
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INCREMENTAL |
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SENIOR |
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INSPECTOR |
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CHIEF |
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SUPERINTENDENT |
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CHIEF |
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ASSISTANT |
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DEPUTY |
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COMMISSIONER |
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What is equivalent to a chief inspector and a chief superintendent of NSW in Victoria?
Do detectives have different titles and/or ranks? If they differ from those set out above, what are they?
Hi Emma,
Detectives hold the same rank structure as uniformed Police but have the Designation of ‘ Detective ‘ that precedes their rank such as ‘ Detective Constable ‘, Detective Inspector ‘ etc.
Cal
Hi, much respect for the job you do. I have two questions, research for a book.
Is there a set amount of time on the job or a specific rank needed to become a detective?
And is possible for an oic of a small-town station to deputise or something similar a civilian who was once a serving officer/detective?
Thank you in advance for any help.
This is really interesting, thanks. Is it true that you become a senior constable after nine years as a constable? And a chief inspector after ten years as an inspector? What about senior sergeant, how long do you have to spend as a sergeant? Or is this not an automatic promotion? Thanks.
George, you automatically gain the rank of senior constable after 5 confirmed years (6 including probation) provided you pass a test.
To gain the rank of Sergeant you have to pass the promotions process, Senior Sergeant is a position not a rank, so you don’t have to pass the promotion process just an expression of interest and an interview. If you transfer to other units you lose the position and revert back to the rank of Sergeant (which goes with you where ever you go).
To All Of Our Brave Policemen
My name is Monica
Thank you for looking after us
Keep safe…God Bless
Note: I always stop any police groups on the street and say these words irrespective of city state or town in Australia.
Question, I see a fair few officers say making media addresses where they are introduced as acting inspector for example, they were the inspector insignia however their name tag still says sergeant, is this a transitional thing or simply that inspector is on leave and they are stepping on this occasion?
Hi Jamie,
“Acting”, as the name implies, means that a Member is “Acting” at the Rank of ” Sergeant “, ” Inspector “, ” Superintendent ” etc for a period of time. This usually occurs so that the Member gains some experience at that higher rank and / or that the person for whom the Member is standing in for, is on annual leave or is at a course for a period of time.
regards
Cal
What is equivalent to a chief inspector and a chief superintendent of NSW in Victoria? And as an acting rank permanent?
Hi fine police folk. A question for you about NSW police ranks. Would (or could) a station commander in a rural station rise to the rank of senior sergeant? (research for a fictional novel). By the way, massive thanks to the great work police do every day … hats off to you all, and sincere gratitude!
Hi Dan,
Yes, the OIC ( Officer In Charge ) could be anywhere from a Constable to Superintendent. It all depends on the size & location of the particular station. A ‘One Man’ station is usually a Constable – Senior Constable whereas a station with, say about half a dozen troops, could have a Senior Sergeant in Charge.
Cal
What is the polite way to address someone who wears the rank of “Incremental Sergeant”?
Apart from by his first name, or “Mate”….
Regards…. Peter.
Hi Peter,
Simply call them Sergeant.
I would like to take this opportunity and thank you to the NSW police officers who don’t give up and work day in and day out with alertness and make sure to keep the people safe, I really appreciate what you’re doing, and I have a lot of respect for you and your uniform, God Bless you and keep you safe
As a civilian, I am pleased to have this opportunity to send a Huge Thank You to every member of every Police Force in Australia, no matter which rank. Each one of us should be humbled and grateful to our Police Forces for doing their job, diligently, protecting us & keeping us safe. Again – thank you, all.
Thank you Bev,
Grateful to know that there are people who vocally support their Police.
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE GRUBS WHO BASH ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE A DISGRACE TO THE UNIFORM PIGS IS WHAT THERE CALLED NO RESPECT FOR ANY OF THE CRIMINALS
Stop ya bitching. Put on a uniform and do the job yourself !
well said