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Patrol sergeant vs patrol officer

The differences between patrol sergeants and patrol officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a patrol sergeant has an average salary of $56,638, which is higher than the $35,621 average annual salary of a patrol officer.

The top three skills for a patrol sergeant include patrol, law enforcement agencies and public safety. The most important skills for a patrol officer are patrol, customer service, and public safety.

Patrol sergeant vs patrol officer overview

Patrol SergeantPatrol Officer
Yearly salary$56,638$35,621
Hourly rate$27.23$17.13
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs22,591123,265
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a patrol sergeant do?

A Patrol Sergeant oversees and performs security operations on an assigned shift. They conduct vehicular patrol of an assigned area, investigate the scenes of accidents, and make arrests, when required.

What does a patrol officer do?

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.

Patrol sergeant vs patrol officer salary

Patrol sergeants and patrol officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Patrol SergeantPatrol Officer
Average salary$56,638$35,621
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $72,000Between $27,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Mount St. Mary's University
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between patrol sergeant and patrol officer education

There are a few differences between a patrol sergeant and a patrol officer in terms of educational background:

Patrol SergeantPatrol Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Patrol sergeant vs patrol officer demographics

Here are the differences between patrol sergeants' and patrol officers' demographics:

Patrol SergeantPatrol Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 91.2% Female, 8.8%Male, 82.9% Female, 17.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between patrol sergeant and patrol officer duties and responsibilities

Patrol sergeant example 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.
  • Show more

Patrol officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage surveillance of DUI traffic offenders in Jacksonville
  • Report and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
  • Enforce NYS racing guidelines state, rules and regulations.
  • Protect life and property at the largest regional aviation facility in NYS.
  • Provide emergency medical assistance as a first responder.
  • Utilize security vehicle to patrol all residential areas and parking lot ensuring resident safety.
  • Show more

Patrol sergeant vs patrol officer skills

Common patrol sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 44%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
  • Public Safety, 5%
  • Personnel Problems, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
  • Field Training, 4%
Common patrol officer skills
  • Patrol, 48%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Public Safety, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Incident Reports, 2%

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