Some departments consider detective rank a permanent promotion, in others it is merely a temporary assignment. If you choose this option, the actual agency is where you must do your research. The officer contingent will generally be divided into two main areas, uniform patrol and detectives, according to the type of crime they handle. You may also have officers such as canine handlers, mounted units or helicopter pilots, as well as SWAT teams, who go under varying names at different departments. Each has a different function.
Law enforcers have a language all their own and as many dialects as there are agencies.
Slang for street crimes changes with trends, while some terms are universal. For example, if a suspect runs, he rabbits. Also, under most circumstances cops refer to each other by last name unless face to face. In a dangerous situation where there might be two officers named John, using the first name could cause confusion and get someone killed. Weapons are an obvious and necessary part of any story involving law enforcement.