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Police lieutenant vs police sergeant

The differences between police lieutenants and police sergeants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police lieutenant has an average salary of $70,614, which is higher than the $65,562 average annual salary of a police sergeant.

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

Police lieutenant vs police sergeant overview

Police LieutenantPolice Sergeant
Yearly salary$70,614$65,562
Hourly rate$33.95$31.52
Growth rate-3%
Number of jobs2,30681,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
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 police sergeant do?

A Police Sergeant is responsible for supervising patrol officers and agents, as assigned. They oversee and assess the performance of subordinates, such as disciplinary actions, continued training, and counseling.

Police lieutenant vs police sergeant salary

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

Police LieutenantPolice Sergeant
Average salary$70,614$65,562
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $97,000Between $48,000 And $89,000
Highest paying CityReno, NVSanta Cruz, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyMethodist Health SystemLoyola University Maryland
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between police lieutenant and police sergeant education

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

Police LieutenantPolice Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police lieutenant vs police sergeant demographics

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

Police LieutenantPolice Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
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, 11.0% 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 lieutenant and police 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.

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.
  • Show more

Police lieutenant vs police 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 police sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 32%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Field Training, 3%
  • CPR, 3%

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