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Senior police officer vs chief of police

The differences between senior police officers and chiefs of police can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chief of police has an average salary of $77,582, which is higher than the $53,771 average annual salary of a senior police officer.

The top three skills for a senior police officer include patrol, police academy and responder. The most important skills for a chief of police are patrol, public safety, and criminal justice.

Senior police officer vs chief of police overview

Senior Police OfficerChief Of Police
Yearly salary$53,771$77,582
Hourly rate$25.85$37.30
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs56,40169,344
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4046
Years of experience--

Senior police officer vs chief of police salary

Senior police officers and chiefs of police have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Police OfficerChief Of Police
Average salary$53,771$77,582
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $70,000Between $49,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City-Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Ohlone College
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between senior police officer and chief of police education

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

Senior Police OfficerChief Of Police
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Senior police officer vs chief of police demographics

Here are the differences between senior police officers' and chiefs of police' demographics:

Senior Police OfficerChief Of Police
Average age4046
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 2.9% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between senior police officer and chief of police duties and responsibilities

Senior police officer example responsibilities.

  • Re-Cover stolen revenue and firearms from the suspect.
  • Maintain current legal, firearms, and practical scenario training.
  • Interview suspects/witnesses, along with drafting/serving warrants and subpoenas.
  • Protect property and citizens through patrol activities, identify risks, investigate crimes, and contribute to criminal prosecution.
  • Patrol installation inspecting buildings and control areas to prevent, deter or eliminate criminal activity and hazards to personnel and property.
  • Work in life-threatening undercover operations, placing warrant information into the NCIC for want criminals.

Chief of police example responsibilities.

  • Lead, train and mentore a team of 11 senior logistics and business consultants.
  • Plan, manage, develop, implement and revise the training FTO program, as needed.
  • Enable senior leadership to accomplish combat objectives.
  • Provide first aid and CPR to victims as necessary.
  • Investigate burglary and theft crimes with extensive attention to details.
  • Investigate state and federal narcotics violations on a DEA lead strike-force team.
  • Show more

Senior police officer vs chief of police skills

Common senior police officer skills
  • Patrol, 18%
  • Police Academy, 14%
  • Responder, 11%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Firearms, 7%
  • Criminal Investigations, 4%
Common chief of police skills
  • Patrol, 23%
  • Public Safety, 13%
  • Criminal Justice, 9%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Emergency Management, 4%
  • Police Services, 3%

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