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Patrol sergeant vs police officer

The differences between patrol sergeants and police 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 $52,638 average annual salary of a police officer.

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

Patrol sergeant vs police officer overview

Patrol SergeantPolice Officer
Yearly salary$56,638$52,638
Hourly rate$27.23$25.31
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs22,591116,287
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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 officer do?

Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.

Patrol sergeant vs police officer salary

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

Patrol SergeantPolice Officer
Average salary$56,638$52,638
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $72,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Icma-rc
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between patrol sergeant and police officer education

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

Patrol SergeantPolice Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Patrol sergeant vs police officer demographics

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

Patrol SergeantPolice Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 91.2% Female, 8.8%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between patrol sergeant and police 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

Police officer example responsibilities.

  • Apprehend violators and log evidence, complete require USAF and DoD forms, and accomplish report.
  • Train in CPR and first aid, radar speed enforcement, domestic violence intervention, pepper spray, and basic anti-terrorism.
  • Gather preliminary investigation information as a first responder to crime scenes.
  • Perform basic patrol functions including criminal and traffic law enforcement, incident reporting and community relations.
  • Complete numerous testimonies at criminal hearings and traffic violations, serve summons, subpoenas and other official documentation.
  • Patrol MARTA trains and bus lines.
  • Show more

Patrol sergeant vs police 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 police officer skills
  • Patrol, 27%
  • Public Safety, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%
  • CPR, 3%

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