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Police service technician vs police officer

The differences between police service technicians and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a police officer has an average salary of $52,638, which is higher than the $35,897 average annual salary of a police service technician.

The top three skills for a police service technician include patrol, law enforcement agencies and police reports. The most important skills for a police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.

Police service technician vs police officer overview

Police Service TechnicianPolice Officer
Yearly salary$35,897$52,638
Hourly rate$17.26$25.31
Growth rate1%3%
Number of jobs202,057116,287
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4040
Years of experience4-

Police service technician vs police officer salary

Police service technicians and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Police Service TechnicianPolice Officer
Average salary$35,897$52,638
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $47,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Icma-rc
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between police service technician and police officer education

There are a few differences between a police service technician and a police officer in terms of educational background:

Police Service TechnicianPolice Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityPennsylvania State University

Police service technician vs police officer demographics

Here are the differences between police service technicians' and police officers' demographics:

Police Service TechnicianPolice Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 59.5% Female, 40.5%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage2%7%

Differences between police service technician and police officer duties and responsibilities

Police service technician example responsibilities.

  • Use NCIC computer to perform vehicle identification number inspections.
  • Train to effectively take ink fingerprints and use the automated fingerprint system (AFIS).
  • Conduct road patrol, investigate traffic crash scenes, collect evidence and issue traffic and parking citations.
  • Provide support for police patrol units by report writing; consist of highly detail, fact orient, technical writing.
  • Include regularly schedule maintenance, safety recalls, computerize alignments, electrical and on-board computer module diagnosis using Audi diagnostic software.
  • Commend for exemplary leadership and organizational ability.

Police officer example responsibilities.

  • Apprehend violators and log evidence, complete require USAF and DoD forms, and accomplish report.
  • Train in CPR and first aid, radar speed enforcement, domestic violence intervention, pepper spray, and basic anti-terrorism.
  • Gather preliminary investigation information as a first responder to crime scenes.
  • Perform basic patrol functions including criminal and traffic law enforcement, incident reporting and community relations.
  • Complete numerous testimonies at criminal hearings and traffic violations, serve summons, subpoenas and other official documentation.
  • Patrol MARTA trains and bus lines.
  • Show more

Police service technician vs police officer skills

Common police service technician skills
  • Patrol, 27%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 14%
  • Police Reports, 7%
  • Traffic Control, 7%
  • Police Services, 7%
  • Parking Enforcement, 7%
Common police officer skills
  • Patrol, 27%
  • Public Safety, 6%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%
  • CPR, 3%

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