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Special police vs peace officer

The differences between special polices and peace officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special police has an average salary of $41,873, which is higher than the $37,631 average annual salary of a peace officer.

The top three skills for a special police include patrol, public safety and emergency situations. The most important skills for a peace officer are patrol, public safety, and motor vehicle.

Special police vs peace officer overview

Special PolicePeace Officer
Yearly salary$41,873$37,631
Hourly rate$20.13$18.09
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs70,973118,690
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Special police vs peace officer salary

Special polices and peace officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special PolicePeace Officer
Average salary$41,873$37,631
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $52,000Between $30,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateNorth Dakota-
Best paying companyThe George Washington University-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between special police and peace officer education

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

Special PolicePeace Officer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Special police vs peace officer demographics

Here are the differences between special polices' and peace officers' demographics:

Special PolicePeace Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 70.9% Female, 29.1%Male, 77.4% Female, 22.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 3.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between special police and peace officer duties and responsibilities

Special police example responsibilities.

  • Manage litigation and bankruptcy matters.
  • Monitor and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
  • Maintain annual qualifications and training standards for firearm and CPR certifications.
  • Participate in annual CPR, firearm training, arrest, MEB and handcuff procedures.
  • Evaluate and protect information, facilities and personnel through CCTV monitoring and remote camera surveillance.
  • Check identification for all visitors entering the shelter, monitor CCTV equipment for suspicious activity.
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Peace officer example responsibilities.

  • Lead process improvement committee for officers to communicate with senior leadership desire changes for patrol division.
  • Conduct complex criminal investigations in correctional, patrol and investigative unit settings.
  • Administer CPR and first aid.
  • Train in CPR and other immediate care for self and others.
  • Monitor security systems, including CCTV, fire systems, and sensitive content alarms.
  • Experience in command central where CCTV cameras are monitored, and general information is relayed to the public and co-workers.
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Special police vs peace officer skills

Common special police skills
  • Patrol, 22%
  • Public Safety, 14%
  • Emergency Situations, 9%
  • Incident Reports, 5%
  • CCTV, 5%
  • Property Damage, 4%
Common peace officer skills
  • Patrol, 26%
  • Public Safety, 12%
  • Motor Vehicle, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
  • Emergency Situations, 7%
  • Incident Reports, 4%

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