1. Aim: How does the NYPD Signify Rank Amongst the Officers?
HRN Lesson 43
Aim: How does the NYPD Signify Rank Amongst the Officers?

2. Police Officer Shield
Made of Nickel Plated Silver with the NYC Seal. All Police Officer shields are numbered.
The NYC Seal represents the unity between Natives and Colonists. It dates back to the time of Dutch control of the city.

4. Detective Shield
The Detective Shield is gold plated. Although Detectives are not considered supervisors they are given gold shields to signify their rank and status. Their shields are numbered.
At a crime scene in which a Detective is investigating they are “In Charge” of that crime scene.

5. Sergeant Shield
Sergeant shields are the first in a series of shields for Supervisors. The shield has an eagle on top to display authority. The shields are gold plated and numbered.
Sergeants also display their rank by wearing three chevrons on each sleeve of their outermost garment.

6. Lieutenant Shield
Lieutenant shields are the first shields that do not have numbers. Lieutenants are identified by their “Tax ID” number which ALL NYPD Officers have.
Their rank is displayed by a gold bar that is work on their uniform. Two gold bars are displayed on each side of their collar or on their shoulders.

7. Captain Shield
With a promotion to Captain, there is a new style of shield that has five points at the top with the NYC Seal in the middle.
The rank of Captain is displayed by a double gold bar worn in the same manner as Lieutenant.

8. Deputy Inspector Shield
The Deputy Inspector Shield is similar to the
Captain’s shield; except for the addition of two Oak Leafs on opposite sides of the NYC Seal.
Their rank is displayed by Oak Leafs worn on their uniform in the same manner as a Captain.

9. Inspector Shield
The Inspector shield goes back to the style of the rank of Lieutenant with an Eagle holding olive branches added to the top.
Their rank is displayed by an Eagle worn on their uniform in the same manner as a Deputy Inspector.

10. Deputy Chief Shield
The Deputy Chief Shield is the same as an Inspector except there is a single star under the eagle.
Deputy Chief’s wear their rank insignia as a single gold star in the same manner as an Inspector.

11. Assistant Chief
The Assistant Chief Shield is the same as an Inspector except there are two stars under the eagle.
Assistant Chief’s wear their rank insignia as a double gold star in the same manner as a Deputy Chief.

12. Three Star Chief’s – Super Chief’s
The NYPD has 9 three star chief’s who head the
different bureaus of the NYPD. Each three star
Chief gets an individualized shield with the
name of the Bureau they are in charge of. Their
rank with three linked stars is displayed in the
same manner as an Assistant Chief.

13. NYPD Chaplain Shield
The Chaplain’s shield is used for the religious needs of Police Officers.
Catholic Chaplain’s get a Cross, Muslim Chaplain’s get a Crescent Moon, and Jewish Chaplain’s get a Star of David.
NYPD Chaplain’s are authorized to wear dress uniforms. There are 7 Chaplains in the NYPD.

14. NYPD Doctors – Surgeon’s Office
The NYPD Employ’s multiple Doctors including the Chief Surgeon who is a civilian but gets to wear an NYPD Uniform. The doctors also get an official NYPD Shield.

15. Police Commissioner Shield
The NYPD Police Commissioner gets the same shield as an NYPD Chief except there are 5 stars on the shield.
The Commissioner is a civilian position and he does not wear a uniform but is authorized to carry a firearm for protection and he gets a security detail for protection.

16. Deputy Commissioner’s Shield
The First Deputy Commissioner answers directly to the Police Commissioner and serves as Commissioner in the absence of the Police Commissioner.
The Deputy Police Commissioners head various bureaus within the NYPD. They answer directly to the First Deputy Commissioner.

17. Police Woman’s Shield
The NYPD Police Women’s shield was used through the 1960’s. Once female officers were allowed to patrol the streets they were given the traditional police officers shield.

18. Auxiliary Police Shields
NYPD Auxiliary Police Officers are issued 7 point star shields which are popular in the south and west United States.
Officer shields are silver and numbered, sergeants shields are gold and numbered, and Lieutenant and above are gold with the NYC Seal.

19. School Safety Shield
NYPD School Safety are issued a rounded shield with an eagle. School Safety Officers are given a silver shield and supervisors are given a gold plated shield.

20. Traffic Agent Shield
NYPD Traffic Agents are issued a rounded shield with an eagle. Traffic Officers are given a silver shield and supervisors are given a gold plated shield.