How to hire a patrol sergeant

How to hire a patrol sergeant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step patrol sergeant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a patrol sergeant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new patrol sergeant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your patrol sergeant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a patrol sergeant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   No

   Hiring the perfect patrol sergeant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of patrol sergeants and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Patrol Sergeant	Description	Hourly rate
   Patrol Sergeant	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$21-34
   Code Enforcement Officer	Code enforcement officers are professionals who work for the government to ensure that properties within their jurisdiction are following the zoning laws and building ordinances of a city, town, or county. These officers are required to inspect properties and record violations as part of their regular assessment or in response to complaints... Show more	$13-26
   Enforcement Officer	The enforcement officer is someone who promotes and enforces policies, instructions, and obligations of tenants. An enforcement officer aims to resolve two parties' issues that may arise from orders given by the admin or management... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Public Safety
   • Personnel Problems
   • Emergency Situations
   • Field Training
   • Incident Reports
   • Emergency Calls
   • Citizen Complaints
   • Performance Evaluations
   • Community Relations
   • Disciplinary Actions
   • Traffic Control
   • State Laws

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage department's firearm ammunition and ensure supplies are adequate and additional items order as needed.
   • Used and enforce during combat risk management composite and procedures, risk management analysis, always safety conscious.
   • Conduct investigations and any disciplinary action need for any complaint or incident involving patrol officers.
   • Communicate with fellow patrol officers in order to coordinate more effective task completion and conflict resolution.
   • Designate firearms proficiency officer responsible for maintaining individual officer annual firearms qualifications and associate maintenance of training records.
   • Serve arrest, bench warrants, subpoenas, domestic violence orders and other court paperwork.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your patrol sergeant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A patrol sergeant can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, patrol sergeants' average salary in tennessee is 43% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level patrol sergeants 39% less than senior-level patrol sergeants.
   • Certifications. A patrol sergeant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a patrol sergeant's salary.

   Average patrol sergeant salary

   $56,638yearly

   $27.23 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level patrol sergeant salary

   $44,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a patrol sergeant job description

   A good patrol sergeant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a patrol sergeant job description:

   Patrol sergeant job description example

   Police Sergeant
   First Line Report: Police Lieutenant
   Second Line Report: Chief of Police
   Supervises: Full-Time and Part-Time Police Officers
   Pay Grade Level: 15
   Employee Status: Full-time
   Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
   Shift: Typically Wednesday through Sunday, Afternoons (2-10pm)
   
   Summary – The Police Sergeant, under the general direction of the Chief of Police, is responsible for the field supervision of all departmental police officers under his rank. The Police Sergeant is also responsible for assisting the Police Chief with the general administration of the Police Department. This position suitable for transitional duty.
   
   Primary Responsibilities
   Police Support Functions …………………………………………………………………………… 50% Maintain an overall commitment to protect and serve Conduct foot and vehicle patrols to ensure that all laws, policies, procedures and safety practices are followed Prepares reports as needed on a regular basis with a broad range of topics (i.e. DUI, Drivers’ License confiscation, arrests, towed vehicles) Maintain building keys and alarm systems; input and remove access codes; maintain detailed records of activity Administer traffic safety program Process and collect evidence while ensuring integrity of the evidence holding area Assist supervision as needed or assigned with comprehensive criminal investigations Acts as a liaison for Mill Creek MetroParks with members of other area safety forces to include Police, Fire and Emergency operations Coordinates special activities (i.e. parking, event security, emergency medical, large crowds) Secure crime scenes and potential hazards from public access Assist as needed with any MetroParks wildlife program Work in collaboration with Maintenance Staff on items in need of repair Attend court proceedings and testify as needed Supervision of Related Personnel and Activities………………………………………………40% Review, approve and maintain all necessary records including but not limited to time cards, paid time off requests, training mandates, and administrative tasks Monitor compliance with L.E.A.D.S. guidelines Audit all police reports for completeness, accuracy, proper grammar and spelling. Assist with planning and scheduling daily patrols adjusting for fluctuations in level of activity Assists with training, mentoring, disciplining and performance review of assigned staff Assists in the selection of hiring MetroParks Police Officers Administer bargaining agreement for full-time police officers Maintain a positive appearance in the eyes of the public at all times Departmental Functions……………………………………………………………………………10% Provide intra-departmental support as needed Assist with the Ohio Collaborative Collaborate with Supervision in the development and preparation of short term as well as long-range department goals and objectives Assist with preparation of the annual departmental budget request through acquiring quotes for supplies, materials, work, equipment, etc. Perform additional duties as determined by the Chief of Police Essential Knowledge, Abilities and Skills Must be highly organized, efficient and capable of managing various types and levels of projects simultaneously with minimal supervision, within a high stress, fast paced environment utilizing current technology and sound judgement Ability to communicate clearly and professionally both orally and in writing with a wide variety of persons Maintain the ability to identify issues and gather needed information to solve problems logically Must exhibit the ability to be part of a team and work with a various disciplines in a collaborative approach in order to reach the goals of the organization through the displaying of a positive attitude and professional appearance Regular and predictable attendance Ability to plan, direct and supervise the work of subordinates Must be able to maintain confidentiality as warranted Negotiation and conflict resolution skills Knowledge of local laws, ordinances and court procedures Knowledge of current industry standard practices, trends, techniques, laws and regulations within the respective fields of investigative techniques and police procedures Ability to effectively operate equipment and weapons used in the line of duty Education/Qualifications Certified Police Officer- State of Ohio, Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice preferred Minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a police officer Supervisory experience preferred Must possess and be able to maintain a valid Driver's License No felony convictions or other convictions that would prevent carrying a gun or operating a vehicle Physical Requirements Necessary to Perform Job Functions Must be physically able to perform all tasks inherent to the position Ability to walk, traverse or otherwise access trails of all types, natural terrain, construction sites and all properties under control of the Park District under all types of conditions and weather for purposes of police patrol, investigations, apprehension of suspects and any other matters requiring police action Ability to stand, sit, bend, kneel or stoop for extended periods of time Physical agility to perform Police Officer duties including running and apprehending suspects Ability to see, hear and effectively communicate with others Hand/finger dexterity, ability to work with all necessary tools and equipment Must be accessible and available on short notice for emergency call-outs Ability to lift 25+ pounds Job Requirement
   The Police Sergeant is required to be available as the situation warrants. Events may require working evenings, weekends, holidays or other times outside of what is considered a normal schedule. Typical periods of work may routinely exceed 40 hours per week.
   
   The duties and responsibilities listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work. Mill Creek MetroParks expressly reserves the right to add to, detract from, modify or eliminate any of the above provisions in its sole discretion.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right patrol sergeant for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your patrol sergeant job on Zippia to find and recruit patrol sergeant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting patrol sergeants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new patrol sergeant

   Once you've selected the best patrol sergeant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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