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Investigators assistant vs law enforcement officer

The differences between investigators assistants and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an investigators assistant has an average salary of $44,686, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.

The top three skills for an investigators assistant include background checks, physical evidence and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Investigators assistant vs law enforcement officer overview

Investigators AssistantLaw Enforcement Officer
Yearly salary$44,686$39,219
Hourly rate$21.48$18.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs16,836105,817
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4440
Years of experience2-

What does an investigators assistant do?

As the name entails, the job of an investigator's assistant is to perform office duties and field jobs to support investigations into criminal justice and criminal cases. Typical duties will include processing legal documents and reports such as subpoenas and complaints, collecting fingerprints, police reports, and background checks, and interviewing victims and witnesses. Additionally, as an investigator's assistant, you are responsible for reviewing criminal background checks and conducting research on new social trends. You will also be responsible for preparing payroll and delegating and coordinating multiple projects under a tight deadline.

What does a law enforcement officer do?

The duties of a law enforcement officer depend on their line of work or agency of employment. In general, they are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, prioritizing the safety of citizens and the protection of the city. Typically, their responsibilities include patrolling their designated area, responding to distress, monitoring suspicious activities and characters, conducting investigations and inspections, and coordinating various services to assist citizens. Moreover, as a law enforcement officer, it is essential to serve as a role model for citizens and uphold the oath to serve and protect.

Investigators assistant vs law enforcement officer salary

Investigators assistants and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Investigators AssistantLaw Enforcement Officer
Average salary$44,686$39,219
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $85,000Between $30,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMarylandWashington
Best paying companyMassachusetts General HospitalUniversity of Nebraska System
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between investigators assistant and law enforcement officer education

There are a few differences between an investigators assistant and a law enforcement officer in terms of educational background:

Investigators AssistantLaw Enforcement Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college-Pennsylvania State University

Investigators assistant vs law enforcement officer demographics

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

Investigators AssistantLaw Enforcement Officer
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 35.8% Female, 64.2%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage9%7%

Differences between investigators assistant and law enforcement officer duties and responsibilities

Investigators assistant example responsibilities.

  • Utilize SharePoint and Accutrac to convert information, by ensuring constant communication with department records coordinator and project leads.
  • Maintain strong working knowledge of both OPM and CBP/ICE contracts.
  • Review of case materials and pre-review items for OPM investigations.
  • Communicate with the public through outreach presentations on EEOC laws.
  • Research, interpret and apply EEOC laws to assist with case determinations.
  • Document all patrol activities and occurrences, maintain records and prepare reports.
  • Show more

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

Investigators assistant vs law enforcement officer skills

Common investigators assistant skills
  • Background Checks, 10%
  • Physical Evidence, 9%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Background Investigations, 7%
  • Subpoenas, 6%
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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