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Senior police officer vs police sergeant

The differences between senior police officers and police 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 $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 police sergeant are patrol, public safety, and emergency situations.

Senior police officer vs police sergeant overview

Senior Police OfficerPolice Sergeant
Yearly salary$53,771$65,562
Hourly rate$25.85$31.52
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs56,40181,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4046
Years of experience--

Senior police officer vs police sergeant salary

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

Senior Police OfficerPolice Sergeant
Average salary$53,771$65,562
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $70,000Between $48,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City-Santa Cruz, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Loyola University Maryland
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between senior police officer and police sergeant education

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

Senior Police OfficerPolice Sergeant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegePennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University

Senior police officer vs police sergeant demographics

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

Senior Police OfficerPolice Sergeant
Average age4046
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between senior police officer and police sergeant 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.

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

Senior police officer vs police sergeant skills

Common senior police officer skills
  • Patrol, 18%
  • Police Academy, 14%
  • Responder, 11%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Firearms, 7%
  • Criminal Investigations, 4%
Common police sergeant skills
  • Patrol, 32%
  • Public Safety, 8%
  • Emergency Situations, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Field Training, 3%
  • CPR, 3%

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