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Police detective vs police sergeant

The differences between police detectives and police sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police sergeant has an average salary of $65,562, 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 police sergeant are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Police detective vs police sergeant overview

Police DetectivePolice Sergeant
Yearly salary$52,087$65,562
Hourly rate$25.04$31.52
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs74,95881,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Police detective vs police sergeant salary

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

Police DetectivePolice Sergeant
Average salary$52,087$65,562
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $71,000Between $48,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City-Santa Cruz, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Loyola University Maryland
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between police detective and police sergeant education

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

Police DetectivePolice Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police detective vs police sergeant demographics

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

Police DetectivePolice Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 87.4% Female, 12.6%Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between police detective and police 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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Police sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Collaborate with federal and state agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS and SBI.
  • Perform data entry into NCIC system, protection from abuse database, and automate incident memo systems.
  • Provide keen oversight to multiple divisions, including animal control, records, communications, training, and docket detention.
  • Coordinate department's firearms training and qualification programs for officers.
  • Complete advanced firearms, interviewing, interrogation, and supervision training.
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Police detective vs police 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 police sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 32%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Field Training, 3%
  • CPR, 3%

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