delegado

Delegado is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese with several related meanings. Etymologically, it derives from the Latin delegatus, the past participle of delegare, meaning to appoint, commission, or assign. In its broad sense, a delegado is a person who has been authorized to act on behalf of another person or organization, or who represents a group or authority through delegation of duties.

In public administration and politics, the term often designates a representative of a higher authority in a local or regional jurisdiction. For example, in Spain the title Delegado del Gobierno refers to the central government's representative in a given autonomous community or province, responsible for coordinating national policy and public administration at the regional level. In various Latin American countries, delegados serve as regional or district officials with delegated responsibilities within public agencies.

In law enforcement in Brazil, a delegado de polícia is a senior police official who heads investigations and directs police work within a precinct or district. The title signals a position of leadership and responsibility for criminal inquiries and investigative procedures.

Other uses include the general concept of delegation in organizations, where an individual is entrusted with authority to perform certain tasks. In computing, the term delegate is used to describe a reference to a method or function; in Spanish and Portuguese texts this is commonly rendered as delegado.