Post job

Senior police officer vs law enforcement officer

The differences between senior police officers and law enforcement officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior police officer has an average salary of $53,771, which is higher than the $39,219 average annual salary of a law enforcement officer.

The top three skills for a senior police officer include patrol, police academy and responder. The most important skills for a law enforcement officer are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Senior police officer vs law enforcement officer overview

Senior Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Yearly salary$53,771$39,219
Hourly rate$25.85$18.86
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs56,401105,817
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Senior police officer vs law enforcement officer salary

Senior police officers and law enforcement officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Average salary$53,771$39,219
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $70,000Between $30,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-University of Nebraska System
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between senior police officer and law enforcement officer education

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

Senior Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Senior police officer vs law enforcement officer demographics

Here are the differences between senior police officers' and law enforcement officers' demographics:

Senior Police OfficerLaw Enforcement Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between senior police officer and law enforcement officer 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.

Law enforcement officer example responsibilities.

  • Attend NCO leadership school and receive training on how to properly, and effectively manage personnel.
  • Accomplish scheduled and random security checks of control and classify areas to ensure compliance with DOD resource protection guidelines.
  • Develop and manage firearms training programs, including weapons selection and qualification standards.
  • Operate QRV solo, backing up BLS ambulances.
  • Certify in defensive tactics, firearms, driver's training, professional first aid and CPR.
  • DOT and FMCSA regulation enforcement.
  • Show more

Senior police officer vs law enforcement officer skills

Common senior police officer skills
  • Patrol, 18%
  • Police Academy, 14%
  • Responder, 11%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Firearms, 7%
  • Criminal Investigations, 4%
Common law enforcement officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 10%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Metal Detectors, 3%

Browse protective service jobs