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Desk sergeant vs chief of police

The differences between desk sergeants and chiefs of police can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chief of police has an average salary of $77,582, which is higher than the $39,731 average annual salary of a desk sergeant.

The top three skills for a desk sergeant include patrol, law enforcement agencies and emergency situations. The most important skills for a chief of police are patrol, public safety, and criminal justice.

Desk sergeant vs chief of police overview

Desk SergeantChief Of Police
Yearly salary$39,731$77,582
Hourly rate$19.10$37.30
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs24,83369,344
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Desk sergeant vs chief of police salary

Desk sergeants and chiefs of police have different pay scales, as shown below.

Desk SergeantChief Of Police
Average salary$39,731$77,582
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $47,000Between $49,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City-Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Ohlone College
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between desk sergeant and chief of police education

There are a few differences between a desk sergeant and a chief of police in terms of educational background:

Desk SergeantChief Of Police
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Desk sergeant vs chief of police demographics

Here are the differences between desk sergeants' and chiefs of police' demographics:

Desk SergeantChief Of Police
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 81.6% Female, 18.4%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between desk sergeant and chief of police duties and responsibilities

Desk sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Assist in establishing overall S3 objectives and accomplishing assign missions.
  • Monitor console alarm panels and CCTV displays for various high priority facilities.
  • Conduct classroom instruction in engagement techniques, limit visibility gunnery, target classification, range determination, and field reconnaissance.
  • Secure priceless and irreplaceable documents against threats of terrorism and sabotage.

Chief of police example responsibilities.

  • Lead, train and mentore a team of 11 senior logistics and business consultants.
  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Enable senior leadership to accomplish combat objectives.
  • Provide first aid and CPR to victims as necessary.
  • Investigate burglary and theft crimes with extensive attention to details.
  • Investigate state and federal narcotics violations on a DEA lead strike-force team.
  • Show more

Desk sergeant vs chief of police skills

Common desk sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 17%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 15%
  • Emergency Situations, 14%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • Blotter, 5%
  • Emergency Calls, 3%
Common chief of police skills
  • Patrol, 23%
  • Public Safety, 13%
  • Criminal Justice, 9%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Emergency Management, 4%
  • Police Services, 3%

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