NYPD Uniforms and Ranks



For most municipal departments, Chief is the highest rank, with the exception of larger departments such the NYPD, where there is a Chief of the Department, but he is out-ranked by the Commissioner. The large majority of counties are policed by a Sheriff's Office or Department, headed by a Sheriff. Almost all state police agencies (state police, state patrol, highway patrol) use military ranks with Colonel being the highest rank, though many also have concurrent titles such as Superintendent, Director, Chief, etc.