107 – Rank Structure

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to describe the organizational ranks and the general responsibilities of Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees at each rank. The general descriptions in this policy are not intended to supplement or override any portion of an employee’s full job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Division (HR).

II. Definitions

Acting Authority: The authority of a supervisor to issue orders to employees of lower rank even when that supervisor is not in the employees’ direct chain of command.

Chain of Command: Chain of command is the hierarchy of leadership that begins with the employee’s immediate supervisor and ends with the Sheriff.

Department Policy (Policy): A broad statement describing HCSO’s philosophy on a given issue. Each policy is a reflection of HCSO’s overarching principles and values, shaped by relevant legal requirements, professional ethics, and community needs.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): The approved method of performing a specific operation or task within the bounds of policy. In the event of a conflict between policy and an SOP, the policy always controls. An SOP differs from a policy in two primary ways:

An SOP uses precise language to describe particular duties and processes; a policy uses general terms to set broad parameters.
• An SOP applies only to a particular command, bureau, or division; a policy applies across all of HCSO.

III. Policy

HCSO’s policy is to establish and maintain clear expectations from employees at every rank.

IV. Procedure

HCSO’s rank structure is as follows:

Command Staff
1. Sheriff
  1. The Sheriff is HCSO’s chief executive officer and sits at the top of every chain of command. The Sheriff has final authority for determining HCSO policies together with full responsibility for the complete discharge of all duties imposed by law.
  2. The Sheriff shall designate any position of command or responsibility for the administration of HCSO.
  3. The Sheriff must officially sanction and approve any changes in structural organization of HCSO before the changes may be put into effect. The detailed methods of directing and controlling specific functions of HCSO, or of its commands, bureaus, and divisions may be developed by designated subordinate personnel, but the original direction and final approval and adoption of the guiding principles rests with the Sheriff.
2. Chief Deputy
  1. The chief deputy is appointed by the Sheriff and is subordinate in rank only to the Sheriff.
  2. The chief deputy is the executive commander over the entirety of their designated operational area.
3. Chief of Staff
  1. The chief of staff is appointed by the Sheriff and is subordinate in rank only to the Sheriff.
  2. The Sheriff may, at any time, detail or relate specific administrative and executive duties to the chief of staff.
4. Assistant Chief Deputy
  1. Each assistant chief deputy is appointed by the Sheriff and is subordinate in rank only to the Sheriff and chief deputy.
  2. The Sheriff may appoint assistant chief deputies to assist with the executive duties of the chief deputy and administer certain commands within HCSO.
5. Commander
  1. Each commander is appointed by the Sheriff and is subordinate in rank only to the Sheriff, chief deputy, and assistant chief deputies.
  2. The Sheriff may appoint a commander to a command that is consistent with their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) licensure to provide direct oversight and leadership to the majors within their command and fulfill any other duties assigned to them by the assistant chief deputy in their chain of command.
6. Major
  1. Each major is appointed by the Sheriff and is subordinate in rank only to the Sheriff, chief deputy, assistant chief deputies, and any commanders.
  2. The Sheriff may appoint a major to exercise command over a bureau that is consistent with their TCOLE licensure, and each major is responsible for ensuring that their bureau’s SOPs do not conflict with HCSO’s policies and are enforced among the employees under their command.
Supervisors
1. Captain
  1. Each captain is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A captain is subordinate in rank to a major and is the primary commander of a division and a secondary commander within their respective bureau.
2. Detention Captain
  1. Each detention captain is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A detention captain is subordinate in rank to a major and is the primary commander of a division within the Detention Operations Command and a secondary commander within their respective bureau.
3. Division Director
  1. The Sheriff may appoint civilian directors to oversee administrative divisions within HCSO.
  2. A division director is subordinate in rank to the Sheriff, chief deputy, chief of staff, or their designee.
  3. Through their appointment, division directors are granted the equivalent rank necessary to command and supervise the activities of the personnel within their division.
4. Lieutenant
  1. Each lieutenant is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A lieutenant is subordinate in rank to a captain and is directly responsible for the actions of the personnel in their division.
  3. A lieutenant may be designated as a watch supervisor and, if so designated, is responsible for the entire operations of an assigned watch.
5. Detention Lieutenant
  1. Each detention lieutenant is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A detention lieutenant is subordinate in rank to a captain, assigned to the Detention Operations Command, and directly responsible for the actions of the personnel in their division.
  3. A detention lieutenant may be designated as a watch supervisor and, if so designated, is responsible for the entire operations of an assigned watch.
6. Telecommunications Commander
  1. Each telecommunications commander is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A telecommunications commander is subordinate in rank to the Director of the Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) and is directly responsible for the actions of the personnel in the EDC.
  3. A telecommunications commander may be designated as a watch supervisor and, if so designated, is responsible for the entire operations of an assigned watch.
7. Sergeant
  1. Each sergeant is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A sergeant is subordinate in rank to a lieutenant and is an assistant watch supervisor and is responsible for the direct supervision of personnel assigned to their watch in the performance of their duties.
8. Detention Sergeant
  1. Each detention sergeant is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A detention sergeant is subordinate in rank to a lieutenant, assigned to Detention Operations Command, and responsible for the direct supervision of personnel assigned to their watch in the performance of their duties.
9. Telecommunications Supervisor
  1. Each telecommunications supervisor is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A telecommunications supervisor is subordinate in rank to a telecommunications commander or lieutenant and is responsible for the direct supervision of personnel assigned to their watch in the performance of their duties.
Non-Supervisors
1. Detective
  1. Each detective is selected through the promotions process and subject to the final approval of the Sheriff or their designee.
  2. A detective is subordinate in rank to a sergeant and is responsible for maintaining an active caseload of complex criminal investigations and interfacing with prosecuting authorities.
  3. When a detective is assigned to the investigation of a criminal incident, they assume acting authority over any related scenes and may direct HCSO personnel at those scenes — including deputies and detention officers — in connection with their investigation and request additional assistance as necessary.
  4. Notwithstanding this acting authority, supervisors of the on-scene personnel retain supervisory authority over on-scene personnel. However, as requested and as their own responsibilities allow, they should support detectives in their investigations.
2. Deputy
  1. Each deputy is commissioned by HCSO in compliance with applicable hiring policies and procedures and may be assigned to any command.
  2. A deputy is subordinate in rank to a sergeant and is responsible for the enforcement of all local, state, and federal laws.
3. Detention Officer
  1. Each detention officer is employed in compliance with applicable hiring policies and procedures and assigned to Detention Operations Command.
  2. A detention officer is subordinate in rank to a sergeant and is responsible for maintaining jail operations as they are assigned.
4. Telecommunications Officer
  1. Each telecommunications officer is employed in compliance with applicable hiring policies and procedures and assigned to the EDC.
  2. A telecommunications officer is subordinate in rank to a telecommunications supervisor or sergeant and is responsible for receiving, processing, disseminating, and maintaining information on calls for service and other communications received in relation to HCSO’s operations.
Additional Positions
The following positions are either temporary or can fall at multiple spots along a chain of command and are therefore dealt with separately here. All positions at HCSO are subject to the chain of command.
1. Acting Command Staff
  1. Acting Sheriff
    1. During the temporary absence of the Sheriff, the chief deputy shall automatically assume all duties and responsibilities of the Sheriff.
    2. If the chief deputy is also absent during this time, the Sheriff or their designee shall authorize an assistant chief deputy to assume the Sheriff’s duties and responsibilities.
    3. At any time, the Sheriff may designate a person to assume their duties and responsibilities in their absence.
  2. Acting Chief Deputy
    During the temporary absence of the chief deputy, the Sheriff or their designee shall authorize an assistant chief deputy to assume the duties and responsibilities of the chief deputy.
  3. Additional Acting Command Positions
    During the temporary absence of an assistant chief, commander, or major, the Sheriff or their designee shall authorize another member of the command staff to carry out their duties.
2. Reserves Division
  The ranks within HCSO’s Reserve Division mirror the ranks for full-time, regular deputies that are outlined in this policy. However, a reserve deputy at any rank may not exercise any supervisory authority over full-time, regular deputies unless previously authorized by the Sheriff or chief deputy.
3. Civilian Staff Members
  1. Civilian staff members are employed in compliance with applicable hiring policies and procedures and may be assigned according to departmental needs.
  2. The equivalent rank of any civilian staff member is determined by the Sheriff or their designee and shall be commensurate with the responsibilities inherent in the position.

Revision

This policy has been revised on the below listed dates:

April 21, 2009
June 25, 2013
November 13, 2013
November 6, 2026
October 6, 2015
August 28, 2020
June 1, 2024