UK police ranks

Most of the fifty-six UK Police forces use a standard set of ranks, listed here in ascending seniority. Badges of rank are usually worn on the epaulettes, although sergeants wear their stripes on their upper sleeves in formal uniform.

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• Police Constable (PC) (warrant number, sometimes with divisional letters)
• Sergeant (Sgt or PS) (three point down chevrons over warrant number, sometimes with divisional letters)
• Inspector (Insp) (two stars of the Order of the Bath, informally known as pips)
• Chief Inspector (Ch Insp) (three pips)
• Superintendent (Supt) (crown)
• Chief Superintendent (Ch Supt) (crown over one pip)
• Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) (crossed tipstaves in a laurel wreath)
• Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) (one pip over ACC badge)
• Chief Constable (crown over ACC badge)

The Chief Constable is the head of each police force. Ranks above Chief Superintendent are usually non-operational management roles, and are often referred to as "Chief Officer" ranks.

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Epaulettes are normally black with white or silver insignia, although for High Visibility Uniform, they are often yellow with black insignia.

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UK police ranks: Detectives ►