Post job

Campus police officer vs law enforcement officer

The differences between campus police officers and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a campus police officer has an average salary of $39,373, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.

The top three skills for a campus police officer include patrol, public safety and motor vehicle. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Campus police officer vs law enforcement officer overview

Campus Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Yearly salary$39,373$39,219
Hourly rate$18.93$18.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs119,353105,817
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a campus police officer do?

A campus police officer conducts patrols around the campus, ensuring the security of students, staff, and school buildings. Also known as campus peace officers, campus police officers respond to assistance and emergency requests. The officers enforce or implement institutional rules, laws, and regulations about student conduct defined in the student handbook. They test and make adjustments on alarm and communication systems and report any malfunctions.

What does a law enforcement officer do?

The duties of a law enforcement officer depend on their line of work or agency of employment. In general, they are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, prioritizing the safety of citizens and the protection of the city. Typically, their responsibilities include patrolling their designated area, responding to distress, monitoring suspicious activities and characters, conducting investigations and inspections, and coordinating various services to assist citizens. Moreover, as a law enforcement officer, it is essential to serve as a role model for citizens and uphold the oath to serve and protect.

Campus police officer vs law enforcement officer salary

Campus police officers and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Campus Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Average salary$39,373$39,219
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $49,000Between $30,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyAllan Hancock CollegeUniversity of Nebraska System
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between campus police officer and law enforcement officer education

There are a few differences between a campus police officer and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:

Campus Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Campus police officer vs law enforcement officer demographics

Here are the differences between campus police officers' and law enforcement officers' demographics:

Campus Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 73.0% Female, 27.0%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 15.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 2.9% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between campus police officer and law enforcement officer duties and responsibilities

Campus police officer example responsibilities.

  • Respond to criminal complaints and investigations occurring on university properties as well as conducted regular patrol of university campus.
  • Patrol campus property and immediately adjacent property by foot and vehicle.
  • Review civilian complaints; conduct comprehensive interviews and disciplinary hearings; recommend and implement disciplinary action; handle removal of firearms.
  • Operate magnetometers and hand wand to prevent any unauthorize weapons into the facility.

Law enforcement officer example responsibilities.

  • Attend NCO leadership school and receive training on how to properly, and effectively manage personnel.
  • Accomplish scheduled and random security checks of control and classify areas to ensure compliance with DOD resource protection guidelines.
  • Develop and manage firearms training programs, including weapons selection and qualification standards.
  • Operate QRV solo, backing up BLS ambulances.
  • Certify in defensive tactics, firearms, driver's training, professional first aid and CPR.
  • DOT and FMCSA regulation enforcement.
  • Show more

Campus police officer vs law enforcement officer skills

Common campus police officer skills
  • Patrol, 19%
  • Public Safety, 9%
  • Motor Vehicle, 9%
  • Criminal Justice, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Emergency Calls, 5%
Common law enforcement officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Metal Detectors, 3%

Browse protective service jobs