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Law enforcement officer vs peace officer

The differences between law enforcement officers and peace officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a law enforcement officer has an average salary of $39,219, which is higher than the $37,631 average annual salary of a peace officer.

The top three skills for a law enforcement officer include patrol, public safety and emergency situations. The most important skills for a peace officer are patrol, public safety, and motor vehicle.

Law enforcement officer vs peace officer overview

Law Enforcement OfficerPeace Officer
Yearly salary$39,219$37,631
Hourly rate$18.86$18.09
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs105,817118,690
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Law enforcement officer vs peace officer salary

Law enforcement officers and peace officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Law Enforcement OfficerPeace Officer
Average salary$39,219$37,631
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $50,000Between $30,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyUniversity of Nebraska System-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between law enforcement officer and peace officer education

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

Law Enforcement OfficerPeace Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Law enforcement officer vs peace officer demographics

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

Law Enforcement OfficerPeace Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 80.3% Female, 19.7%Male, 77.4% Female, 22.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between law enforcement officer and peace officer duties and responsibilities

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

Peace officer example responsibilities.

  • Lead process improvement committee for officers to communicate with senior leadership desire changes for patrol division.
  • Conduct complex criminal investigations in correctional, patrol and investigative unit settings.
  • Administer CPR and first aid.
  • Train in CPR and other immediate care for self and others.
  • Monitor security systems, including CCTV, fire systems, and sensitive content alarms.
  • Experience in command central where CCTV cameras are monitored, and general information is relayed to the public and co-workers.
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Law enforcement officer vs peace officer skills

Common law enforcement officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Metal Detectors, 3%
Common peace officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 12%
  • Motor Vehicle, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Incident Reports, 4%

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