Knowing The Police Ranks

Ranks, like every other regimental institution, have become part of policing since its establishment in 1894. Much like the military, most law enforcement agencies have employed a strict organizational ranking system not designed to humiliate those in lower ranks, but to maintain a standard discipline, effective communication and further advancement.

Rank is used to establish and determine position in the hierarchy of the organizational structure. The essence of this is best demonstrated when there is the need for spontaneous, tactical and operational response to incidents or planned operations. It also allows processes to be established in order to facilitate the flow of information, and ensures that decisions are communicated and implemented effectively, as confusion and uncertainty may lead to command deficiencies.

In the Ghana Police Service, every officer is confirmed in a certain rank right from a successful completion of a specified training programme to the end of service and even beyond. To some extent, the ranks couple your name and usually take precedent over your given or chosen name.

For identification, the insignia of the ranks are always worn by uniformed officers mostly on the shoulders. A uniformed personnel without a rank insignia on is considered improperly dressed and may attract disciplinary actions. In all cases, Personnel wish to be recognized and accorded the right rank since advancement in ranks in the service comes by no chance and requires lots of hard work, dedication and commitment.

It is the more reason why personnel will at all times pursue their promotions to the next rank. The media on a number of occasions, have used their platforms as conduits in advocating alleged delayed promotions of personnel for the attention of the Police Administration. However, it must be clarified that police promotions are based on promotion examination, seniority and length of years served, subject to satisfactory performance, good conduct and special recommendation based on meritorious acts of bravery or valour in the prevention of crime or outstanding performance of duty.

Since ranking is so important to the policeman, it is necessary that the public, whom the police serve, familiarize themselves with the ranks and what they denote to be able to use them appropriately.

The ranking structure of the Service is divided into two – the Senior Officers and Junior Officers.

Senior Officers
The highest rank in the Service is the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)  and descends to an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) being the last rank within the Senior Officers schedule.

Badges Of Ranks
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) - The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by two eagles facing each other and one Star

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (D/IGP) - The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by two eagles facing each other

Commissioner of Police (COP) - The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by two Stars

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) - The Star surrounded by laurel leaves surmounted by one Star

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) - The Star surrounded by laurel leaves

Chief Superintendent of Police (C/Supt) – Two Eagles facing each other surmounted by one Star

Superintendent of Police (Supt) - Two eagles facing each other

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) - Three Stars

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) - Two Stars

Cadet Officer (CO) - One Star (personnel of this rank are not Senior Officers yet but are on Officer Corps training into becoming Senior Officers at the Police Academy.

Junior Officers
Basically, ranking in the Police Service begins from Constable, after a satisfactory completion of a training programme in any of the police training schools across the country. The Constable rises through the ranks to a Chief Inspector of Police, being the highest rank in the Junior Officers' Schedule.        

Chief Inspector (C/Inspr) - Four white metal bars each mounted with the Black Star in the centre

Inspector (Inpr) - Three white metal bars each mounted with the Star in the centre

Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM) - The Ghana Coat of Arms in the form of a metal badge worn on both sleeves

District Sergeant Major (DSM) - The Star surrounded by laurel leaves in a form of a metal badge worn on the left sleeve

Sergeant (Sgt) – Three chevrons worn on both sleeves

Corporal (Cpl)  - Two chevrons worn on both sleeves

Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) - One chevron worn on both sleeves

Constable  - Nil
 
By Effie Tenge
Email: [email protected]
Note 
FOR ANY INFORMATION ON CRIME AND POLICE ASSISTANCE,

CALL NATIONAL CRIMEFIGHTERS NUMBERS  
0302 773695    0302 773906 
MTN & VODAFONE TOLL FREE 18555 
191(VODAFONE/EXPRESSO/AIRTEL & TIGO)