Hit Wizard Ranks

Ranks up to Chief Superintendent

• Constable
• Sergeant
• Inspector
• Chief Inspector
• Superintendent
• Chief Superintendent

Ranks (Chief Officers)

• Commander
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner
• Assistant Commissioner
• Deputy Commissioner
• Commissioner

Powers

In law, every member of the Hit Wizards is a constable whatever their actual rank. The basic powers of arrest and search of an ordinary Constable are identical to those of a Superintendent or Chief Constable; however certain higher ranks are given administrative powers to authorise certain actions. These include the powers:

• to authorise the continued detention of up to 24 hours of a person arrested for an offence and brought to a police station (granted to Sergeants),
• to authorise house search warrants (granted to Inspectors), or
• to extend the length of prisoner detention to 36 hours (granted to Superintendents).

In relation to Hit Wizards, a member of the force shall have all the powers and privileges of a constable throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the adjacent United Kingdom waters". HWs do not need to be on duty to exercise their powers and can act off duty if circumstances require it (technically placing themselves back on duty).

Detectives

Officers holding ranks up to and including Chief Superintendent who are members of the Criminal Investigation Department or Special Branch (and certain other units) have the prefix "Detective" before their rank (For example: Detective Constable). Due to the nature of their duties these officers generally wear plain clothes and so do not wear the corresponding rank insignia. However, they still operate within the same structure as other officers. It is a misconception often portrayed by the media that detective ranks are superior to those of uniformed officers. In the United Kingdom this is not the case, and a Detective Sergeant has the same powers and authority as a uniformed Sergeant. Indeed, in terms of law, a uniformed Sergeant actually has far more police powers available due to custody and traffic legislation requiring the officer to be in uniform. The "Detective" prefix merely designates that the officer has received extra training and has certain skills in terms of investigation.

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