Post job

Police lieutenant vs platoon sergeant

The differences between police lieutenants 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 $70,614 average annual salary of a police lieutenant.

The top three skills for a police lieutenant include patrol, public safety and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a platoon sergeant are safety procedures, combat, and professional development.

Police lieutenant vs platoon sergeant overview

Police LieutenantPlatoon Sergeant
Yearly salary$70,614$95,863
Hourly rate$33.95$46.09
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs2,306357
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does a police lieutenant do?

A Police Lieutenant plans, oversees, and coordinates the daily activities of a designated operational entity of the Police Department. They manage a specific division of the police department, such as crime prevention, operations, or administration.

What does a platoon sergeant do?

A platoon sergeant is responsible for monitoring the platoon on its daily operations, including their training and activities, evaluating their performance, and enforcing disciplinary actions to maintain the order of the group. Platoon sergeants work closely with a platoon commander, advising high-end strategic procedures to support the troops, including defense training and weapon tactics. They also coordinate with different units, especially on deploying the platoon for assignments and security duties to maintain the peace of the vicinity.

Police lieutenant vs platoon sergeant salary

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

Police LieutenantPlatoon Sergeant
Average salary$70,614$95,863
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $97,000Between $68,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CityReno, NV-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyMethodist Health System-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between police lieutenant and platoon sergeant education

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

Police LieutenantPlatoon Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police lieutenant vs platoon sergeant demographics

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

Police LieutenantPlatoon Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.6% 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 lieutenant and platoon sergeant duties and responsibilities

Police lieutenant example responsibilities.

  • Orchestrate the day to day demands, managing deficiencies/opportunities and prioritization of unit operations throughout specific target areas within NYC.
  • Direct members of firefighting crews in the care and maintenance of firefighting apparatus and equipment, assign and review their work.
  • Supervise assigned uniform personnel through coordination of roll calls, schedules and daily patrol assignments.
  • Supervise shift and departmental operations; monitor and evaluate subordinates work, review reports and direct patrol and investigative operations.
  • Orchestrate the day to day demands, managing deficiencies/opportunities and prioritization of unit operations throughout specific target areas within NYC.
  • Arrange quarterly Compstat, take complaint reports (CRs), handle special attentions and conduct roll call training.

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.
  • Show more

Police lieutenant vs platoon sergeant skills

Common police lieutenant skills
  • Patrol, 31%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Criminal Justice, 5%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
Common platoon sergeant skills
  • Safety Procedures, 20%
  • Combat, 15%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Weapons Systems, 8%
  • NCO, 6%
  • Logistical Support, 6%

Browse protective service jobs