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Detective investigator vs police officer

The differences between detective investigators and police 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 $52,638 average annual salary of a police officer.

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

Detective investigator vs police officer overview

Detective InvestigatorPolice Officer
Yearly salary$53,616$52,638
Hourly rate$25.78$25.31
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs20,213116,287
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4440
Years of experience6-

Detective investigator vs police officer salary

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

Detective InvestigatorPolice Officer
Average salary$53,616$52,638
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $76,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Icma-rc
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between detective investigator and police officer education

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

Detective InvestigatorPolice Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillPennsylvania State University

Detective investigator vs police officer demographics

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

Detective InvestigatorPolice Officer
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between detective investigator and police 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.

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

Detective investigator vs police officer skills

Common detective investigator skills
  • Physical Evidence, 14%
  • Patrol, 12%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
  • Insurance Fraud, 5%
  • Homicide, 5%
  • Electronic Surveillance, 4%
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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