Post job

Police detective vs chief of police

The differences between police detectives and chiefs of police can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chief of police has an average salary of $77,582, which is higher than the $52,087 average annual salary of a police detective.

The top three skills for a police detective include patrol, law enforcement agencies and criminal cases. The most important skills for a chief of police are patrol, public safety, and criminal justice.

Police detective vs chief of police overview

Police DetectiveChief Of Police
Yearly salary$52,087$77,582
Hourly rate$25.04$37.30
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs74,95869,344
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Police detective vs chief of police salary

Police detectives and chiefs of police have different pay scales, as shown below.

Police DetectiveChief Of Police
Average salary$52,087$77,582
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $71,000Between $49,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City-Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Ohlone College
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between police detective and chief of police education

There are a few differences between a police detective and a chief of police in terms of educational background:

Police DetectiveChief Of Police
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police detective vs chief of police demographics

Here are the differences between police detectives' and chiefs of police' demographics:

Police DetectiveChief Of Police
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 87.4% Female, 12.6%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between police detective and chief of police duties and responsibilities

Police detective example responsibilities.

  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Complete applications for arrest, subpoenas, search and seizure warrants, etc.
  • Serve criminal and civil subpoenas, confer with attorneys and assist in the preparation of cases for trial.
  • Maintain and repair department issue firearms.
  • Conduct investigations ranging from disorderly persons offenses to homicide.
  • Network with co-workers to improve initial investigation techniques in the patrol division.
  • Show more

Chief of police example responsibilities.

  • Lead, train and mentore a team of 11 senior logistics and business consultants.
  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Enable senior leadership to accomplish combat objectives.
  • Provide first aid and CPR to victims as necessary.
  • Investigate burglary and theft crimes with extensive attention to details.
  • Investigate state and federal narcotics violations on a DEA lead strike-force team.
  • Show more

Police detective vs chief of police skills

Common police detective skills
  • Patrol, 11%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Criminal Cases, 9%
  • Local Laws, 7%
  • Evidence Collection, 6%
  • Criminal Law, 6%
Common chief of police skills
  • Patrol, 23%
  • Public Safety, 13%
  • Criminal Justice, 9%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Emergency Management, 4%
  • Police Services, 3%

Browse protective service jobs