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Detective investigator vs law enforcement officer

The differences between detective investigators and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a detective investigator has an average salary of $53,616, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.

The top three skills for a detective investigator include physical evidence, patrol and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Detective investigator vs law enforcement officer overview

Detective InvestigatorLaw Enforcement Officer
Yearly salary$53,616$39,219
Hourly rate$25.78$18.86
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs20,213105,817
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4440
Years of experience6-

Detective investigator vs law enforcement officer salary

Detective investigators and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Detective InvestigatorLaw Enforcement Officer
Average salary$53,616$39,219
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $76,000Between $30,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-University of Nebraska System
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between detective investigator and law enforcement officer education

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

Detective InvestigatorLaw Enforcement Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillPennsylvania State University

Detective investigator vs law enforcement officer demographics

Here are the differences between detective investigators' and law enforcement officers' demographics:

Detective InvestigatorLaw Enforcement Officer
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage8%7%

Differences between detective investigator and law enforcement officer duties and responsibilities

Detective investigator example responsibilities.

  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Prepare in-depth detail reports including arrest warrants, search warrants, subpoenas and court orders for criminal prosecution.
  • Prepare subpoenas and search warrants for account information from various companies and entities for follow-up investigations.
  • Analyze high risk transaction activity and provide final approval of investigative case analyses utilize for SAR preparation and filing.
  • Establish a review procedure with IRS and assign an analyst.

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

Detective investigator vs law enforcement officer skills

Common detective investigator skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Patrol, 12%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
  • Insurance Fraud, 5%
  • Homicide, 5%
  • Electronic Surveillance, 4%
Common law enforcement officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Metal Detectors, 3%

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