Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
What is a patrol sergeant and how to become one
Patrol sergeants enforce the law in a particular area. They may patrol on foot, horseback, bicycle, or with state-issued police cruisers. It all depends on the country and location. Because they are sergeants, these officers may also have other police under their command.
The area that patrol sergeants cover varies depending on their equipment and communication devices. For example, sergeants with cruisers and functional radios can cover more area and mobilize to specific locations when needed.
Besides patrolling, these officers may also have to lead meetings with people under their command, fill out paperwork, and monitor their inventory. Sergeants may also submit periodic reports to superior officers.
To become a patrol sergeant, you need to graduate from a recognized police academy and climb the ranks of sergeant. This may take a few years.
What general advice would you give to a Patrol Sergeant?
Dr. Janet Brewer
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Sociology, Governors State University
Avg. Salary $56,638
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 3%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.91%
Asian 3.50%
Black or African American 12.41%
Hispanic or Latino 17.37%
Unknown 4.37%
White 61.45%
Genderfemale 8.84%
male 91.16%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Newest jobs for Patrol Sergeant in Columbus, OH
Receive alerts for the newest job postings.
Patrol Sergeant career paths
Key steps to become a patrol sergeant
Explore patrol sergeant education requirements
Start to develop specific patrol sergeant skills
Skills 
Percentages Patrol 44.09% Law Enforcement Agencies 5.71% Public Safety 5.49% Personnel Problems 5.29% Emergency Situations 4.14% Complete relevant patrol sergeant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New patrol sergeants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a patrol sergeant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real patrol sergeant resumes.Research patrol sergeant duties and responsibilities
- Manage department's firearm ammunition and ensure supplies are adequate and additional items order as needed.
- Used and enforce during combat risk management composite and procedures, risk management analysis, always safety conscious.
- Conduct investigations and any disciplinary action need for any complaint or incident involving patrol officers.
- Communicate with fellow patrol officers in order to coordinate more effective task completion and conflict resolution.
Prepare your patrol sergeant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your patrol sergeant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a patrol sergeant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Patrol Sergeant Resume templates
Build a professional Patrol Sergeant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Patrol Sergeant resume.
Apply for patrol sergeant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a patrol sergeant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Patrol Sergeant Job
Are you a Patrol Sergeant?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average patrol sergeant salary
The average Patrol Sergeant salary in the United States is $56,638 per year or $27 per hour. Patrol sergeant salaries range between $44,000 and $72,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do patrol sergeants rate their job?
Patrol Sergeant reviews
I enjoy the freedom I’m allowed.
How political the job has become. There isn’t a correct way to do your job. Almost everyone wants to get you fired. It’s annoying.
I truly enjoyed my time on the regional swat team. Although I was not an operator, I was assigned to the team as a certified FBI Negotiator. This further enhanced my people skills which will make me an asset to any company.
If I had to pick one thing, it would be working holidays and weekends which took me away from my children.
Variety and independence
Petty politics,nepotism and corrupt institutional practices and policies
Updated January 8, 2025
