What does a detention officer do?

The role of detention officers is to supervise inmates in state detention facilities. They are responsible for ensuring the safe imprisonment of detainees, managing conflict between detainees, and reporting inappropriate behavior to the warden. Other responsibilities include providing inmates the opportunity to call a lawyer or a relative, performing periodic patrol of the jail area, and supervising inmates during meals and related activities. They are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of personal and cell equipment and distributing medicines to inmates as directed.
Detention officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real detention officer resumes:
- Train and manage officers of booking, procedures and computer knowledge skills and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
- Manage booking area and process all non-English speaking detainees; streamline process and reduce confrontational situations through effective communication and leadership.
- Maintain certification in CPR, gun qualification, and any specialize training offer.
- Ensure that all require KYC documentation is on file before accounts are open.
- Review and analyze KYC information on potential clients, brokerage counterparties, etc.
- Perform CPR when necessary, and provide the transportation of inmates to the medical facility.
- Create ad hoc reports for stock summaries, transactions by restriction and sorting information within the LIMS database.
- Maintain mental and physical alertness.
- Exercise alertness and independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations.
- Perform basic first aid procedures and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as needed.
- Patrol jail area periodically to insure security and maintain order.
- Patrol assign areas for evidence of unauthorize activities, infractions of rules, unsatisfactory attitudes or unsatisfactory adjustment of inmates.
- Manage booking area and process all non-English speaking detainees; streamline process and reduce confrontational situations through effective communication and leadership.
- Assist in creating and implementing the new jail intake procedure.
- Assist in implementing the trustees to make the bedrolls for the intake process.
Detention officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Detention Officers are proficient in Detention Facility, Direct Supervision, and Booking. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Detention Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Detention Facility, 14%
Operated computerized Detention Facility equipment.
- Direct Supervision, 13%
Provided 100 percent direct supervision of detainees that were located in housing units awaiting adjudication for release or deportation.
- Booking, 11%
Maintained an excellent safety record by correctly following booking, incarceration, and general safety procedures.
- Law Enforcement, 10%
Provided appropriate information and assistance to the public, department, and law enforcement agencies concerning facility activities and operations.
- CPR, 5%
Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for adults and children, as well as automated external defibrillator (AED).
- Security Checks, 4%
Maintained security in common areas, transported prisoners throughout facility, and performed routine security checks.
Most detention officers use their skills in "detention facility," "direct supervision," and "booking" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential detention officer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a detention officer to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "correctional officers and bailiffs follow and enforce procedures in correctional facilities and courts to ensure safety." Additionally, a detention officer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "monitored inmate movements, work details, visitation, sick call, and religious services. "
Interpersonal skills. Many detention officer duties rely on interpersonal skills. "correctional officers and bailiffs must be able to interact and communicate effectively with people in custody, visitors, and other officers of penal institutions and the court to maintain order.," so a detention officer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways detention officer responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "pepper spray) managed interpersonal conflicts to maintain order. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for detention officers to perform their duties. For an example of how detention officer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "correctional officers and bailiffs must be able to physically subdue people as necessary, including those in or visiting penal institutions and those attending court proceedings." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a detention officer: "respond to emergency situations, preform cell searches and physical body searches. ".
The three companies that hire the most detention officers are:
- The GEO Group13 detention officers jobs
- G4S
5 detention officers jobs
- NANA4 detention officers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable detention officer resume templates
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Detention officer vs. Deputy
The duties of a deputy vary on their line of work or place of employment. In law enforcement, a deputy is primarily in charge of conducting investigations on crimes and arresting criminals, performing regular patrols on streets, responding to calls of distress, and assisting citizens in calamities, disasters, accidents, or any forms of threat. There are also instances when a deputy must serve court documents, transport detainees or suspected criminals, and monitor courtrooms. Furthermore, a deputy reports to higher-ranking officers such as a sheriff.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, detention officer responsibilities require skills like "detention facility," "direct supervision," "booking," and "law enforcement." Meanwhile a typical deputy has skills in areas such as "patrol," "public safety," "federal laws," and "law enforcement agencies." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Deputies really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $53,877. Comparatively, detention officers tend to make the most money in the insurance industry with an average salary of $47,693.deputies tend to reach higher levels of education than detention officers. In fact, deputies are 9.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Detention officer vs. Criminal investigator
A criminal investigator is a law enforcement professional who endeavors to solve felony crimes. Criminal investigators may work alone or as a member of an investigative team whose goal is to uncover the certainty of a case and potentially keep suspects to prevent the ensuing criminal activity. Their tasks and responsibilities depend on various job functions and specialties. They may specialize in the information and evidence of a crime scene, conduct interviews and searches, or perform surveillance.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, detention officer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "detention facility," "direct supervision," "booking," and "law enforcement." Meanwhile, a criminal investigator has duties that require skills in areas such as "investigative reports," "resourcefulness," "firearms," and "treasury." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, criminal investigators earn a higher salary than detention officers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, criminal investigators earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $52,921. Whereas detention officers have higher pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $47,693.criminal investigators earn higher levels of education than detention officers in general. They're 7.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Detention officer vs. Police cadet
Police cadets require multiple police department-relevant skills in traffic control, police reports, public safety, and special events. Those who choose this career will be responsible for participating in training programs that will introduce them to the fundamentals of law enforcement and prepare them for becoming police officers, supporting police operations like traffic control, working on criminal investigation, and performing administrative duties at the station.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, detention officers are more likely to have skills like "detention facility," "direct supervision," "booking," and "law enforcement." But a police cadet is more likely to have skills like "patrol," "traffic control," "public safety," and "police academy."
Police cadets make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $38,178. On the other hand, detention officers are paid the highest salary in the insurance industry, with average annual pay of $47,693.Most police cadets achieve a similar degree level compared to detention officers. For example, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Detention officer vs. Loss prevention analyst
A loss prevention analyst designs and develops loss prevention programs, typically for retail establishments. They are in charge of providing analytical services primarily to avoid or resolve cases of theft and fraud. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing financial and inventory data, inspecting alarm systems and protocols, performing research and analysis to identify the best practices, determining the strengths and weaknesses of current loss prevention techniques, and implementing solutions against vulnerable areas. Furthermore, a loss prevention analyst must maintain an active communication line with managers and loss prevention officers for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between detention officers and loss prevention analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a detention officer might have more use for skills like "detention facility," "direct supervision," "booking," and "law enforcement." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of loss prevention analysts require skills like "loss prevention," "customer service," "data loss prevention," and "camera surveillance. "
Loss prevention analysts enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $44,380. For comparison, detention officers earn the highest salary in the insurance industry.The average resume of loss prevention analysts showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to detention officers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.Types of detention officer
Updated January 8, 2025











