The four stars are meant to signify the police officer with the highest rank in the department. The police rank structure mimics the military, but one is military and one is paramilitary. In small departments, ranks might be based on seniority rather than number of men under command. In a department with eight police officers, there might be the New Guy, several patrol officers, the Seargent, Lt, and Chief. I don't I ever recall hearing of a Police Chief being called General. The four stars just signify the high rank, not that he thinks he is a military general. P.s. NHL team captains don't command ships.