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Police sergeant vs detective sergeant

The differences between police sergeants and detective 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 $52,546 average annual salary of a detective sergeant.

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

Police sergeant vs detective sergeant overview

Police SergeantDetective Sergeant
Yearly salary$65,562$52,546
Hourly rate$31.52$25.26
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs81,493938
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Police sergeant vs detective sergeant salary

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

Police SergeantDetective Sergeant
Average salary$65,562$52,546
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $89,000Between $40,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySanta Cruz, CA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyLoyola University Maryland-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between police sergeant and detective sergeant education

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

Police SergeantDetective Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police sergeant vs detective sergeant demographics

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

Police SergeantDetective Sergeant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.2% Female, 9.8%Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between police sergeant and detective sergeant duties and responsibilities

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

Detective sergeant example responsibilities.

  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Assist in writing standards for certification for the firearms unit.
  • Supervise detective squad, identify monthly investigation outcomes, create staffing schedules, perform stake-outs, monitor wire taps ,
  • Establish probable cause to obtain warrants, leading to arrests and the seizure of narcotics, firearms and other contraband.
  • Deliver subpoenas and other documents as requested by attorneys.
  • Supervise detectives attaining search warrants, subpoenas and financial/phone/computer records.
  • Show more

Police sergeant vs detective sergeant skills

Common police sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 32%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Field Training, 3%
  • CPR, 3%
Common detective sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 20%
  • Evidence Collection, 10%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 10%
  • Homicide, 6%
  • Burglary, 4%
  • Criminal Cases, 4%

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