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Police detective vs platoon sergeant

The differences between police detectives and platoon sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a platoon sergeant has an average salary of $95,863, 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 platoon sergeant are safety procedures, combat, and professional development.

Police detective vs platoon sergeant overview

Police DetectivePlatoon Sergeant
Yearly salary$52,087$95,863
Hourly rate$25.04$46.09
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs74,958357
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Police detective vs platoon sergeant salary

Police detectives and platoon sergeants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Police DetectivePlatoon Sergeant
Average salary$52,087$95,863
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $71,000Between $68,000 And $134,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between police detective and platoon sergeant education

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

Police DetectivePlatoon Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police detective vs platoon sergeant demographics

Here are the differences between police detectives' and platoon sergeants' demographics:

Police DetectivePlatoon Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 87.4% Female, 12.6%Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%
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, 11.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between police detective and platoon sergeant 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.
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Platoon sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Orchestrate squadron recognition programs, manage enlisted promotion recommendations and alleviate all airmen quality force issues.
  • Mentore and maintain accountability of soldiers within the platoon, providing positive guidance for their personal and professional development.
  • Train ROTC students during drills.
  • Award combat action badge for duty in OIF.
  • Assist in training and mentoring college ROTC cadets.
  • Evaluate training processes as they pertain to a broad range of equipment, organizations, and doctrine.
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Police detective vs platoon sergeant skills

Common police detective skills
  • Patrol, 11%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 9%
  • Criminal Cases, 9%
  • Local Laws, 7%
  • Evidence Collection, 6%
  • Criminal Law, 6%
Common platoon sergeant skills
  • Safety Procedures, 20%
  • Combat, 15%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Weapons Systems, 8%
  • NCO, 6%
  • Logistical Support, 6%

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