Chain of Command

The official rank structure used for the Department Of Public Safety for SADPS.

1. Commissioner

Administers and directs the activities of the department with the Deputy Commissioner, Colonels and other Staff.

2. Deputy Commissioner

Administers and directs the activities of the department with the Commissioner, Colonels and other Staff.

3. Colonel

Responsible for the Field Operations of the Department Of Public Safety.

4. Lieutenant Colonel

Directs staff in the Office of Administrative Services (which is responsible for personnel, technical, recruiting and other administrative services) and the Office of Field Operations (which is responsible for delivering police services statewide).

5. Major

Directs and assist Captains in the operational activities of a specialized section and supports Subdivision operations, Also servers as a direct link between High Command and Command in the chain of command.

6. Captain

Directs the operational activities of a specialized section or may be assigned as the head of a Subdivision.

7. Lieutenant

Serves as commander of a troop or district within the Section or directs the activities of a specialized section of a major division.

8. Master Sergeant

Serves as executive officer of a troop, administrative sergeant of a district, or deputy commanding officer or commanding officer of a specialized unit in the Department Of Public Safety; performs and supervises administrative functions; schedules, coordinates and supervises personnel.

9. Sergeant

Supervises the work of personnel in a specialized section or unit

10. Trooper First Class

Responsible for law enforcement.

11. Trooper

Responsible for law enforcement.

12. Trooper Trainee

Officers who have not yet completed training and not yet appointed.

Roster

View the official Department Roster through the following link.

Roster: https://bit.ly/3Ppf0FL

Chain Of Command

A chain of command is an organizational structure that documents how each member of a company reports to one another. You are required to report to your direct supervisor and not anyone higher.

Breaking Chain Of Command will result in disciplinary action within the Department Of Public Safety. After multiple offenses you may be removed from the department.

Promotions

Officers automatically become first class troopers after 6 months of satisfactory performance pursuant to the Department Of Public Safety bargaining contract. For positions up to captain, promotions are based on the state civil service system of testing and ranking, which is administered by the Department of Administrative Services. Successful candidates are placed on a list and are eligible for promotion. Promotions above the rank of captain are based on merit—largely experience and training.

With minor exceptions, officers do not normally skip ranks. They can skip from sergeant to lieutenant by taking the promotional examination for lieutenant and master sergeant at the same time and getting placed on both promotional lists.