Ranks & Hierarchy¶
Complete Guide to Rank Management¶
Ranks define the hierarchy within each department. This guide covers creating and configuring ranks.
Understanding Rank Levels¶
Ranks use a level system where higher numbers indicate higher authority:
| Level Range | Typical Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Entry-level | Cadet, Recruit, Trainee |
| 5-9 | Standard | Officer, Deputy, Firefighter |
| 10-14 | Senior | Senior Officer, Corporal, Sergeant |
| 15-19 | Command | Lieutenant, Captain |
| 20+ | Executive | Chief, Sheriff, Commissioner |
Creating Ranks¶
- Open the department and click the Ranks tab in the department navigation bar
- Click Add Rank
- Fill in details:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Full rank name | Sergeant |
| Abbreviation | Short code | SGT |
| Level | Hierarchy position (1-100) | 10 |
| Color | Rank accent color | #FFD700 |
| Insignia URL | Rank badge/icon image (optional) | https://... |
| Discord Role | Link for auto-sync (optional) | @Sergeant |
- Configure options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Command Staff | Grant elevated permissions |
| Activity Exempt | Skip activity requirements |
- Set Activity Requirements (Optional, Standard+):
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Hours per week / per month | Minimum logged hours |
| Patrols per week / per month | Minimum patrol sessions |
- Click Create
Rank Permissions¶
Command Staff¶
Ranks marked as Command Staff have department-level permissions:
| Permission | Description |
|---|---|
| Approve/deny LOA requests | Manage leave for department members |
| Issue disciplinary actions | Create discipline records |
| Award commendations | Recognize member achievements |
| Promote members | Change ranks within the department |
| View audit logs | See department-level changes |
Activity Exempt¶
Ranks marked as Activity Exempt:
- Are not tracked for activity requirements
- Won't appear in activity warning lists
- Useful for leadership or administrative roles
Editing Ranks¶
- Go to Manage Ranks
- Click on a rank to edit
- Modify settings
- Click Save Changes
Rank Order¶
Ranks are automatically sorted by level:
- Higher levels appear at the top of rosters
- Level determines promotion hierarchy
- Adjust the Level value to change display order
Example Hierarchy¶
| Rank | Abbreviation | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Chief | CHF | 20 |
| Assistant Chief | ACHF | 18 |
| Captain | CPT | 15 |
| Lieutenant | LT | 13 |
| Sergeant | SGT | 10 |
| Senior Officer | SRO | 7 |
| Officer | OFC | 5 |
| Probationary | PRO | 3 |
| Cadet | CDT | 1 |
Activity Requirements¶
Set minimum activity requirements for each rank.
Requires Standard or higher
Activity tracking and per-rank activity requirements are available on Standard and Professional plans.
Available Requirements¶
Each rank can set weekly and/or monthly minimums:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Hours per Week | Minimum logged hours per week |
| Hours per Month | Minimum logged hours per month |
| Patrols per Week | Minimum patrol sessions per week |
| Patrols per Month | Minimum patrol sessions per month |
Mark a rank Activity Exempt to skip these requirements entirely (useful for high command).
Example Configuration¶
| Rank | Hours/Month | Patrols/Month | Exempt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief | - | - | Yes |
| Captain | 10 | 4 | No |
| Lieutenant | 15 | 6 | No |
| Sergeant | 20 | 8 | No |
| Officer | 25 | 10 | No |
| Cadet | 30 | 12 | No |
Rank Insignias¶
Upload custom insignia images for each rank to display on rosters and member profiles.
Adding Insignias¶
- Edit the rank
- Enter the Insignia URL field with a direct link to the image
- Save changes
Image Requirements¶
| Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Format | PNG with transparency |
| Size | 64x64 to 128x128 pixels |
| File size | Under 100KB |
| Hosting | Direct URL (Discord CDN, Imgur, etc.) |
Where Insignias Appear¶
- Department roster pages
- The department Structure (org-chart) view
- Member profile cards
- Public roster (if enabled)
- Rank management list
No placeholder icon
Ranks without an uploaded insignia show no icon at all — PulseRoster does not substitute a generic placeholder. Upload an insignia for any rank you want represented visually.
Discord Role Linking¶
Link ranks to Discord roles for automatic synchronization.
Setting Up¶
- Edit the rank
- Select the Discord role from the dropdown
- Save changes
Sync Behavior¶
When a member is promoted/demoted:
- Previous rank's Discord role is removed
- New rank's Discord role is added
- Sync happens automatically if enabled
Best Practices¶
- Consistent Levels: Use consistent level increments (e.g., 3-5 between ranks)
- Clear Abbreviations: Keep abbreviations short and recognizable
- Realistic Requirements: Set achievable activity requirements
- Exempt Leadership: Consider exempting high command from activity requirements
- Document Changes: Keep records of rank structure changes
Quick Reference¶
Rank Management URLs¶
| Page | URL |
|---|---|
| Manage Ranks | /c/[slug]/departments/[deptSlug]/ranks |
| Edit Rank | /c/[slug]/departments/[deptSlug]/ranks/[rankId] |
Required Permissions¶
| Action | Permission |
|---|---|
| View ranks | All members |
| Create/edit ranks | department.edit |
| Delete ranks | department.edit |
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