Nigel Wheatley Dec 7, 2011:

Agent de policia major I would translate this as "senior constable". I know that this doesn't exist as a police rank anywhere in the English-speaking world, but it gets the idea across and allows us to have 'caporal' as "sergeant", and so 'sotsoficail' as "inspector".

Sheila Hardie (asker) Dec 7, 2011:

Hi Nigel, Thanks for all your help! I don't know what is happening with proz.com tonight - are you having problems getting in at times too? Anyway, I agree it might be a good idea to contact the PR people. I'll try that tomorrow. I'm still a bit confused about the levels - if I compare the UK and the Andorran systems (from the websites I quoted), then the 3 levels would appear to be 'Constable', 'Sergeant' and 'Chief Inspector' in the UK system. However, that could be totally wrong and maybe your versions are correct. I'll need to check with the folk in Andorra I suppose. In any case, as I said, I'm going to include the original names. Thanks again! Sheila

Nigel Wheatley Dec 7, 2011:

BTW I think you're absolutely right to give the exact ranks in Catalan as well as whatever English equivalents you choose. Did my other message show up?

Nigel Wheatley Dec 7, 2011:

Hi Sheila, I was just coming back to give another suggestion, but let's answer your question first! I think "Chief Inspector" is too high a rank to be doing the job that's being done here. They probably need someone from the 'policia judicial' to sign the reports, rather than just a basic grunt, which is why the third policeman is there. Also, I think the first two ranks BOTH correspont to "contable" in the UK, they just make a distinction for a constable who has a bit more experience.

If your deadline permits, you could try telephoning the Public Relations person for the Andorran Police to ask them what a 'sots-oficial' actually does, to help you choose between the equivalent ranks. The number is +376 872000 (that seems to be a switchboard for the main police station, you'll have to ask for PR). I've done this a couple of times with French-speaking police ranks, and the PR people are usually very happy to help out.

Sheila Hardie (asker) Dec 7, 2011:

Chief inspector? Hi Nigel, Thanks for your answer. In fact, I was thinking of 'Chief Inspector' going by this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_rank#Catalonia and by the Andorran Police Force website: http://www.policia.ad/estructura.html

Sots-oficial de Policia seems to be the 4th rank up according to the Andorran website. So, what do you think? Thanks again! Sheila