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Special police vs police officer

The differences between special polices 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 $41,873 average annual salary of a special police.

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

Special police vs police officer overview

Special PolicePolice Officer
Yearly salary$41,873$52,638
Hourly rate$20.13$25.31
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs70,973116,287
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Special police vs police officer salary

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

Special PolicePolice Officer
Average salary$41,873$52,638
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $52,000Between $38,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaAlaska
Best paying companyThe George Washington UniversityIcma-rc
Best paying industryTransportationGovernment

Differences between special police and police officer education

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

Special PolicePolice Officer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldPennsylvania State University

Special police vs police officer demographics

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

Special PolicePolice Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 70.9% Female, 29.1%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between special police and police 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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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.
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Special police vs police officer skills

Common special police skills
  • Patrol, 22%
  • Public Safety, 14%
  • Emergency Situations, 9%
  • Incident Reports, 5%
  • CCTV, 5%
  • Property Damage, 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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