How to Address a Detective
How to Address a Detective?
Detectives (the investigative members of police departments) have ranks just like the military: Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain …. etc. For example, a detective is formally addressed as ‘Lieutenant (Name)’.
—-Envelope or address block on letter or email:
—-—-(Rank) (Full Name)
—-—-(Police Organization)
—-—-(Address)
—-—-Dear (Rank) (Surname):
——–—-Which looks like:
——–—-—-Lieutenant Anthony A. Barerra
——–—-—-Sumner County Police Department
—-——–—-(Address)
——–—-—-Dear Lieutenant Barerra:
In oral conversation detective are formally addressed by rank – but it is common practice to informally address orally as ‘Detective’ or ‘Detective (Name)’.
‘Detective’ is not used socially. See also Police Officers.
– Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.