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The differences between lead investigators and patrol officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead investigator has an average salary of $60,060, which is higher than the $35,621 average annual salary of a patrol officer.
The top three skills for a lead investigator include law enforcement agencies, background investigations and data analysis. The most important skills for a patrol officer are patrol, customer service, and public safety.
| Lead Investigator | Patrol Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $60,060 | $35,621 |
| Hourly rate | $28.88 | $17.13 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,299 | 123,265 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
Lead investigators are responsible for gathering information from both eyewitnesses and suspects. They have to untangle the crime scene for possible clues like DNA, fingerprints, physical evidence, and more. They document the scene by taking photos or by using Leica scanners to capture every detail of the crime scene. Also, they take evidence, processed them, preserve records, and then present the evidence to courts. Additionally, they, at times, procure supplies and items essential for an investigation like identifications apparatus. Lead investigators must know the state, federal, and local laws regarding police operations, investigative procedures as well as evidence safekeeping and demolition.
The job of patrol officers is to enforce ordinances, laws, prevent crime, control crowds, arrest violators, and regulate traffic. They also perform other duties that may include monitoring an assigned area for unauthorized or suspicious activity, responding to reports of emergencies and possible crime such as robberies, and building good relationships with community members. To be a successful patrol officer, you should have solid judgment, excellent communication skills, and decision-making skills in stressful situations.
Lead investigators and patrol officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Investigator | Patrol Officer | |
| Average salary | $60,060 | $35,621 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $113,000 | Between $27,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BNY Mellon | Mount St. Mary's University |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Government |
There are a few differences between a lead investigator and a patrol officer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Investigator | Patrol Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between lead investigators' and patrol officers' demographics:
| Lead Investigator | Patrol Officer | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% | Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |