Individuals interested in taking on a leadership role in preventing crime, enforcing laws and protecting the public may be considering a career as a police sergeant. They should understand what the position entails and how to become qualified for it, which may include earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in criminal justice.  

What Does a Police Sergeant Do? 

Police sergeants play a vital role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of a police station. These law enforcement professionals supervise other officers, help coordinate investigatory activities, establish policies and procedures, and represent the needs of police officers to upper management. Some sergeants may also patrol the streets, while others work mainly in the office.  

Police sergeants can be found in local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Their responsibilities can vary based on the type of police department they work in. 

Police Sergeant Duties 

Typical duties of a police sergeant include: 

• Overseeing officers, including issuing assignments, tracking reports and administering disciplinary actions 

• Managing personnel-related activities, including shift briefings, training sessions and performance evaluations 

• Completing department paperwork, such as filing crime reports and updating department logs 

• Performing common police duties, such as apprehending suspects and investigating crimes 

• Providing testimony in criminal and civil cases 

• Directing inspections, such as personnel and equipment checks for code compliance 

Becoming a Police Sergeant 

A police sergeant needs to have more than just a desire to serve and protect the public. They also need to possess the required experience, education and skills to succeed in this management role. 

Required Experience and Education 

To become a police sergeant, an officer generally needs at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED certificate. They typically also need to have graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy and have at least three to five years of experience as a police officer. 

However, some police departments, particularly those in regions with large populations or high crime rates, require police sergeants to hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Earning a master’s degree can provide an even bigger boost to law enforcement professionals seeking to advance in their careers and can help them develop essential skills. 

Brian W. Donavant, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology at Southeast Missouri State University, has observed that some officers now moving into leadership positions are discovering they lack the necessary skills for the job.  

“They need college degrees, and especially graduate degrees, that focus on leadership and applied research for policy development and policy application,” Donavant says. 

Other requirements for becoming a police sergeant include passing a background check and potentially other assessments, such as a police board interview and written exam, a physical fitness test, a medical examination, or a polygraph test. 

Necessary Skills for Police Sergeants 

To have a successful career as a police sergeant, individuals need skills in the following areas: 

• Delegation and management: Police sergeants are managers, so they must be comfortable giving assignments and orders, as well as stepping in to assist and offer advice to officers during various tasks. 

• Attention to detail: Police sergeants are required to keep detailed, accurate logs and write and submit various reports about crimes and officers’ activities. 

• Multitasking: Sergeants’ day-to-day activities can vary considerably, requiring them to juggle multiple roles at once and be excellent multitaskers. 

• Public speaking: Police sergeants often speak to others, whether it be to officers during daily briefings, to the public during outreach or to a jury while offering testimony.  

• Analysis and problem-solving: Police work is all about analyzing evidence and solving problems. Law enforcement professionals often have to make decisions quickly, so having the ability to assess a situation quickly is key. 

Police Sergeant Salary and Job Outlook 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that all police and detectives have a median annual salary of $77,720. According to Payscale data, the median annual salary for police sergeants in 2025 is approximately $86,000. Individuals’ specific salaries are based on their location, education, experience and other factors. 

The BLS projects that the overall employment of police and detectives will rise 4 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is on par with the average growth projected for all occupations.  

Serve and Protect with a Criminal Justice Degree 

Police sergeants help keep their station running. They oversee the work of other officers, evaluate and improve the department’s performance, and shape the department’s policies and procedures, while also handling important law enforcement work in the field.  

SEMO Online offers aspiring sergeants two program options, depending on their current educational and career stage: a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. Both programs are flexible, are delivered entirely online and can prepare individuals for police sergeant and other law enforcement roles.  

The bachelor’s program enables students to earn both a degree and a Class A Missouri peace officer license, allowing them to be qualified to become full-time sworn law enforcement officers immediately after graduation.  

For students who prefer in-person learning, SEMO also offers a campus-based bachelor’s in criminal justice. 

Learn more about how one of SEMO Online’s criminal justice programs can help you achieve your career goals.