Is a lieutenant higher than a detective?

Yes, a lieutenant is indeed higher in rank than a detective.

Understanding the Hierarchy of Police Ranks

In many police departments, including the structure indicated by the Los Angeles Police Department's ranks, the progression of an officer's career often involves moving through various ascending ranks. The rank of lieutenant signifies a more senior and supervisory position compared to a detective.

The Promotion Path to Lieutenant

The hierarchy dictates that officers must typically hold a lower rank before being eligible for promotion to lieutenant. Specifically:

• Eligibility: Individuals are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant from the ranks of Sergeant or Detective.
• Requirements: This advancement is contingent upon successfully passing a rigorous Lieutenant's examination and interview process.
• Service Tenure: Candidates must also have completed at least two years of satisfactory service in their current rank (either Sergeant or Detective) to qualify.

This promotion structure clearly establishes the lieutenant rank as a step up from a detective.

Roles and Responsibilities

The difference in rank also reflects a difference in responsibilities. While detectives specialize in investigative work, lieutenants often hold leadership roles with broader command responsibilities. For example, a Lieutenant II, such as Louie Provenza in a major crimes division, serves as an Assistant Commanding Officer, overseeing operations and personnel within their assigned unit. This leadership position inherently places them at a higher level in the chain of command.

To illustrate the typical progression:

This table highlights that one must typically ascend through or bypass the detective rank to achieve the position of lieutenant, reinforcing the hierarchical superiority of the latter.