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Patrol sergeant vs police cadet

The differences between patrol sergeants and police cadets 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 $33,243 average annual salary of a police cadet.

The top three skills for a patrol sergeant include patrol, law enforcement agencies and public safety. The most important skills for a police cadet are patrol, traffic control, and public safety.

Patrol sergeant vs police cadet overview

Patrol SergeantPolice Cadet
Yearly salary$56,638$33,243
Hourly rate$27.23$15.98
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs22,59194,220
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
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 police cadet do?

Police cadets require multiple police department-relevant skills in traffic control, police reports, public safety, and special events. Those who choose this career will be responsible for participating in training programs that will introduce them to the fundamentals of law enforcement and prepare them for becoming police officers, supporting police operations like traffic control, working on criminal investigation, and performing administrative duties at the station.

Patrol sergeant vs police cadet salary

Patrol sergeants and police cadets have different pay scales, as shown below.

Patrol SergeantPolice Cadet
Average salary$56,638$33,243
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $72,000Between $23,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meridian Township
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between patrol sergeant and police cadet education

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

Patrol SergeantPolice Cadet
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Patrol sergeant vs police cadet demographics

Here are the differences between patrol sergeants' and police cadets' demographics:

Patrol SergeantPolice Cadet
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 91.2% Female, 8.8%Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between patrol sergeant and police cadet 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

Police cadet example responsibilities.

  • Process requests for background record checks for a variety of agencies using RMS.
  • Prepare teletype requests to run serialize firearms; input data from all seize firearms into CLETS.
  • Perform clerical tasks, filing, data entry, payroll and information research/investigation with NCIC 2000 and SCIC.
  • Automate tow notification process within RMS system.
  • Perform preventative maintenance inspections, routinely servicing minor repairs on equipment and patrol vehicles.
  • General law enforcement responsibilities including dispatch, jail, patrol, investigations, undercover vice/narcotics and supervision.
  • Show more

Patrol sergeant vs police cadet skills

Common patrol sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 44%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
  • Public Safety, 5%
  • Personnel Problems, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
  • Field Training, 4%
Common police cadet skills
  • Patrol, 18%
  • Traffic Control, 10%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Police Academy, 7%
  • Parking Enforcement, 5%
  • Criminal Justice, 4%

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