2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 3 - Security Generally (§§ 3101 — 3356) › PART I - Protection and Surveillance (§§ 3101 — 3356) › Chapter 331 - Puerto Rico Police of 1996 (§§ 3101 — 3142) › § 3111 - Ranks; uniformity

(a) The ranks for members of the Police Force shall be the following:
(1) School Protection Officer I.— Shall mean the member of the Police Force appointed on a probationary basis to keep watch in order to maintain order and protect life and property in the school community.
(2) School Protection Officer II.— Shall mean the member of the Police Force that has passed probation to keep watch in order to maintain order and protect life and property in the school community.
(3) Cadet.— A member of the Police Force, as defined in § 3101(b) of this title.
(4) Police Officer.— A member of the Police Force, as defined in § 3101(a) of this title, who holds at least an Associate Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico.
(5) Sergeant.— A Police Officer who has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant after passing the tests and meeting the requirements, as per the regulations set forth by the Superintendent, who holds at least an Associate Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico, or who has been promoted on merit as established under § 3105 of this title. The rank of Sergeant constitutes the first line of command in the uniform ranking system of the Puerto Rico Police.
(6) Second Lieutenant.— A Sergeant who has been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant after passing the tests and meeting the requirements, as per the regulations set forth by the Superintendent, who holds at least an Associate Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico, or who has been promoted on merit as established under § 3105 of this title.
(7) First Lieutenant.— A Second Lieutenant who has been promoted to the rank of [First] Lieutenant after passing the tests and meeting the requirements for this rank, as per the regulations set forth by the Superintendent, who holds at least an Associate Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico, or who has been promoted on merit as established under § 3105 of this title.
(8) Captain.— A First Lieutenant who has been promoted to the rank of Captain after passing the tests and meeting the requirements for this rank, as per the regulations set forth by the Superintendent, who holds at least a Bachelor’s Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico, or who has been promoted on merit as established under § 3105 of this title.
(9) Inspector.— A Captain who has been promoted to the rank of Inspector by appointment made by the Superintendent with the confirmation of the Governor, pursuant to § 3104(e) of this title, who holds at least a Bachelor’s Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico.
(10) Commander.— An Inspector who has been promoted to the rank of Commander by appointment made by the Superintendent with the confirmation of the Governor, pursuant to § 3104(e) of this title, who holds at least a Bachelor’s Degree conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico.
(11) Lieutenant Colonel.— A Commander who has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by appointment made by the Superintendent with the confirmation of the Governor, pursuant to § 3104(e) of this title, who holds at least a Master’s Degree or its equivalent, conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico.
(12) Colonel.— An Officer whose rank is permanent by appointment made by the Superintendent with the confirmation of the Governor, pursuant to § 3104(e) of this title, who holds at least a Master’s Degree or its equivalent, conferred by a college or university certified or accredited by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico.
(b) The Puerto Rico Police shall be constituted into a unified organization system under which the Superintendent shall determine the best use of human resources, as provided in § 3104(d) of this title.
(c) The creation of any rank, classification, or specialized classification for members of the Police Force other than those provided in this chapter is hereby prohibited.
(d) No Police Force official who has not been a member for a term of fifteen (15) years or more may be considered for promotion to the ranks of Inspector, Commander, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel.
(e) All the academic requirements established herein shall apply pursuant to the provisions of § 3137(c) of this title.
History —June 10, 1996, No. 53, § 12; Jan. 5, 2002, No. 10, § 2; May 4, 2004, No. 106, §§ 6, 7; Aug. 23, 2004, No. 227, § 1; Mar. 26, 2010, No. 35, § 3.