Both patrol officers (generally known as 'officers') and detectives begin as standard patrol officers. To achieve this rank, applicants must be a citizen of Manta Carlos in good standing, have graduated high school, and complete the Manta Carlos
Police Academy. Police academy is mandatory, although there is an expedited six month program for those who have previous experience off-island with being police officers that specifically focuses on dealing with the supernatural.
Patrol officers can eventually choose one of two paths:
- Patrol officers can become senior officers after a minimum of two years on the force. If they are in good standing, perform well, and have spent at least four years on the force they can be promoted to sergeant, which puts them in charge of other patrol officers. Sergeants are expected to have a degree in criminal justice or a related field, and Manta Carlos PD will give eligible senior officers time off to attend classes as desired.
- Senior officers and up can specialize, including joining the Manta Carlos special response team, the MC equivalent of a SWAT team.
- Detectives are expected to have a degree in criminal justice or a related field, and Manta Carlos PD will give eligible senior officers time off to attend classes as desired. While officers deal with the day to day, detectives specifically investigate crimes, often of a more serious nature. Officers are the people who would be responding to emergency calls, while detectives would be the ones following up leads and performing investigative work.
- Ranks above sergeant/senior detective include commander (head of a station) and chief (head of the force).
Alternative career paths with the MCPD include:
- Crime Scene Investigators deal with gathering evidence from the scene of a crime itself, and requires a high attention to detail. This does not require a degree, although the Manta Carlos Police Academy does have a mandatory two year program in crime scene investigation for those who do not have a degree in Crime Scene Investigation.
- Forensic Scientist/Forensic Technicians do not respond directly to the scene of a crime. Instead, they analyze evidence collected by CSIs within labs, and present evidence in court. Forensic science requires applicants to have a degree in forensic science to apply.
