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Campus police officer vs security officer

The differences between campus police officers and security 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 $31,101 average annual salary of a security officer.

The top three skills for a campus police officer include patrol, public safety and motor vehicle. The most important skills for a security officer are customer service, ladders, and patrol.

Campus police officer vs security officer overview

Campus Police OfficerSecurity Officer
Yearly salary$39,373$31,101
Hourly rate$18.93$14.95
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs119,353125,879
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4043
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 security officer do?

A security officer is responsible for maintaining the peace and safety of everyone by regularly patrolling and monitoring surveillance equipment within the assigned premises. Security officers' duties also include reporting suspicious behaviors, restricting trespassers and unauthorized personnel from entering the establishment, providing incident reports for policy violations, and adhering to the standard protocols and legal requirements set by the management. Security offers must also have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills and extensive knowledge of emergency drills in case any unfortunate circumstances arise.

Campus police officer vs security officer salary

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

Campus Police OfficerSecurity Officer
Average salary$39,373$31,101
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $49,000Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyAllan Hancock CollegeBattelle
Best paying industryGovernmentUtilities

Differences between campus police officer and security officer education

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

Campus Police OfficerSecurity Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State University-

Campus police officer vs security officer demographics

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

Campus Police OfficerSecurity Officer
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 73.0% Female, 27.0%Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
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, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between campus police officer and security 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.

Security officer example responsibilities.

  • General foot patrol of interior and exterior strip corridor casino property areas.
  • Distribute id photo badges to employees and contractors.
  • Escort performers or highly known stars to their suites.
  • Employ as an unarm Virginia DCJS license security officer.
  • Inspect all vehicles that are requesting access into AOA.
  • Make DAR reports with clear reading and writing in English.
  • Show more

Campus police officer vs security officer skills

Common campus police officer skills
  • Patrol, 19%
  • Public Safety, 9%
  • Motor Vehicle, 9%
  • Criminal Justice, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Emergency Calls, 5%
Common security officer skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Ladders, 17%
  • Patrol, 14%
  • Security Services, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%

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