Like the higher ranking coppers in Peru, possibly (5)
I believe the answer is:
upper
'like the higher ranking' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'coppers in peru possibly' is the wordplay.
'coppers' becomes 'p'.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'possibly' is an anagram indicator.
'peru' anagrammed gives 'uper'.
'p' placed within 'uper' is 'UPPER'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for upper that I've seen before include "Stimulant drug (informal)" , "The higher of two, berths perhaps" , "catcher of swans?" , "Higher; more northerly" , "Section of Oxford" .)