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Security Officer Vs Police Officer

The differences between security officers 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 $31,101 average annual salary of a security officer.

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

Security officer vs police officer overview

Security OfficerPolice Officer
Yearly Salary$31,101$52,638
Hourly rate$14.95$25.31
Growth Rate3%3%
Number Of Jobs125,879116,287
Job Satisfaction4.52
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average Age4340
Years Of Experience--

What does a Security Officer do?

A security officer is responsible for maintaining the peace and safety of everyone by regularly patrolling and monitoring surveillance equipment within the assigned premises. Security officers' duties also include reporting suspicious behaviors, restricting trespassers and unauthorized personnel from entering the establishment, providing incident reports for policy violations, and adhering to the standard protocols and legal requirements set by the management. Security offers must also have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills and extensive knowledge of emergency drills in case any unfortunate circumstances arise.

What does a police officer do?

Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.

Security officer vs police officer salary

Security officers and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Security OfficerPolice Officer
Average Salary$31,101$52,638
Salary RangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest Paying CitySeattle, WAAnchorage, AK
Highest Paying StateWashingtonAlaska
Best Paying CompanyBattelleIcma-rc
Best Paying IndustryUtilitiesGovernment

Differences between security officer and police officer education

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

Security OfficerPolice Officer
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most Common MajorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most Common College-Pennsylvania State University

Security officer vs police officer demographics

Here are the differences between security officers' and police officers' demographics:

Security OfficerPolice Officer
Average Age4340
Gender RatioMale, 71.6% Female, 28.4%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race RatioBlack or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%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 Percentage6%7%

Differences between security officer and police officer duties and responsibilities

Security Officer Example Responsibilities.

  • General foot patrol of interior and exterior strip corridor casino property areas.
  • Distribute id photo badges to employees and contractors.
  • Escort performers or highly known stars to their suites.
  • Employ as an unarm Virginia DCJS license security officer.
  • Inspect all vehicles that are requesting access into AOA.
  • Make DAR reports with clear reading and writing in English.
  • Show More

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

Security officer vs police officer skills

Common Security Officer Skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Ladders, 17%
  • Patrol, 14%
  • Security Services, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Emergency Situations, 4%
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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