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Adult probation officer vs police officer

The differences between adult probation officers and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police officer has an average salary of $52,638, which is higher than the $46,598 average annual salary of an adult probation officer.

The top three skills for an adult probation officer include criminal justice, social work and mental health. The most important skills for a police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.

Adult probation officer vs police officer overview

Adult Probation OfficerPolice Officer
Yearly salary$46,598$52,638
Hourly rate$22.40$25.31
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs56,961116,287
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4440
Years of experience4-

What does an adult probation officer do?

An adult probation officer works with offenders, monitoring their behavior and activities to prevent them from committing crimes. Part of their job is to evaluate the offenders' criminal history and overall profile to determine and develop rehabilitation and treatment plans, arrange suitable programs or refer them to other services, coordinate with the offender's family and friends, and facilitate regular drug tests and other examinations. Moreover, an adult probation officer is also responsible for conducting regular interviews with the offenders and their families, communicating with programs to verify the offenders' compliance, and preparing progress reports and records.

What does a police officer do?

Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.

Adult probation officer vs police officer salary

Adult probation officers and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Adult Probation OfficerPolice Officer
Average salary$46,598$52,638
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $70,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateNevadaAlaska
Best paying companyLake CountyIcma-rc
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between adult probation officer and police officer education

There are a few differences between an adult probation officer and a police officer in terms of educational background:

Adult Probation OfficerPolice Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachPennsylvania State University

Adult probation officer vs police officer demographics

Here are the differences between adult probation officers' and police officers' demographics:

Adult Probation OfficerPolice Officer
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 48.3% Female, 51.7%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.1% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage10%7%

Differences between adult probation officer and police officer duties and responsibilities

Adult probation officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage significant DUI caseload to court-ordered and conditional probation completion.
  • Enforce sex offender registration, obtain DNA samples and review GPS electronic monitoring system.
  • Supervise offenders on probation and parole, complete social histories/assessments/investigations for the sentencing court or parole board, case management.
  • Conduct DNA and urinalysis on clients.
  • Administer DNA indexing and random drug testing on probationers.
  • Review referral history and other JJIS data for accuracy and conduct data collection for statistical purposes within establish rules.

Police officer example responsibilities.

  • Apprehend violators and log evidence, complete require USAF and DoD forms, and accomplish report.
  • Train in CPR and first aid, radar speed enforcement, domestic violence intervention, pepper spray, and basic anti-terrorism.
  • Gather preliminary investigation information as a first responder to crime scenes.
  • Perform basic patrol functions including criminal and traffic law enforcement, incident reporting and community relations.
  • Complete numerous testimonies at criminal hearings and traffic violations, serve summons, subpoenas and other official documentation.
  • Patrol MARTA trains and bus lines.
    • Show more

Adult probation officer vs police officer skills

Common adult probation officer skills
  • Criminal Justice, 10%
  • Social Work, 10%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Court Orders, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Community Resources, 5%
Common police officer skills
  • Patrol, 27%
  • Public Safety, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%
  • CPR, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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