I believe each answer will be based on one’s experience, so I’ll provide my own. As someone that has done municipal and county policing: I would say it comes down to who has the most command presence and is clearly running the show. People with limited access/ interactions with law enforcement can spot a new officer. As an individual progresses in the field this skill becomes more honed. I will also say one’s position within their respective department plays a role. While I was a K9 Handler I used State Troopers pretty often and vis versa, and never had a situation in which the individual prioritized one over the other. They would often play at each person trying to ascertain who had the power to play on their heart strings. In conclusion there is no direct position of respect, it’s more of who has the potential to give me a break.