PoliceLink

Wow I can say that the only two places that I have lived my life at on on this list. San Diego and Charlotte, I do have to saw I miss San Diego.

This list was made for larger metro Cities, not State or County agencies. Betcha the surrounding suburbs around the Cities make more and get the benefits of metro living without having to live in that City.

Looking at the list the one thing that really amazed me was that the starting pay for a police officer in Boston is over $77,000.- now that is a nice starting pay....had I know that 27 years ago I would have moved to Boston and then started testing to get on the PD. That has to be "THE TOP" or in the top 10 highest starting pay levels in the U.S.

SAPD #2, YES... LOW COST OF LIVING... LOOK @ SOME OF THE REASONS WHY:

Police Cadet $2,369.00 (PER MONTH)
Probationary Police Officer $38,340 (ANNUALLY)
Police Officer - Step A-F $44,136 - $60,120 (ANNUALLY)
Police Detective - Step A-D $61,800 - $66,828 (ANNUALLY)
Police Sergeant - Step A-C $70,200 - $73,020 (ANNUALLY)
Police Lieutenant - Step A-C $78,612 - $81,792 (ANNUALLY)
Police Captain - Step A-C $90,216 - $93,852 (ANNUALLY)

PLUS:

VA Certified: The Training Academy is certified for full-time Veteran's Administration Education Benefits.

Promotional Opportunities: Opportunity for promotion and corresponding salary increases based on Civil Service Exams after serving at least two years in rank.

Night Differential Pay: $350.00/month

Language Skills Pay: $50.00/month

Standby Pay: Officers assigned to S.W.A.T., S.W.A.T. alternates, K-9, Bomb, and Crisis Negotiators receive $157.00/month.

Active Assignment Pay: Officers assigned to the Blue E.A.G.L.E. Helicopter Unit or serve as coordinators for the Volunteers in Policing Program receive $157.00/month.

Education Incentive Pay for Degrees:
Associates=$215.00/month
Bachelors=$315.00/month
Masters=$335.00/month
Doctorate=$350.00/month

Education Incentive Pay for Accredited Hours (prior to degree):
65-94 = $60.00/month
95-124 = $90.00/month
125-154 = $120.00/month
155-184 = $150.00/month
185-214 = $180.00/month
215-229 = $210.00/month
230+ = $240.00/month

Certification Pay: Basic Certificate=$30, Intermediate=$130.00, Advanced=$170.00, Masters=$210.00

Longevity Pay: Each officer's regular rate of pay is increased 3% for each five years of longevity, to a maximum of 30 years or 18%. The increase is independent of any other increases gained through the "Collective Bargaining Agreement."

Leave Conversion or Buy Back: The City will buy back or convert either in "pay" or in "other forms of leave" at the officer's discretion, up to ten (10) unused sick leave days per year.

Court Pay

Education Reimbursement Program

Insurance: Health, Dental, Optical, Life (includes dependent coverage)

Accumulated Leave: Vacation, Holiday, Military, Sick

Bonus Days: Quarterly bonus for unused sick days.

Clothing Allowance ($720.00)

Maximum Allowable Retirement Benefits

Physical Fitness Incentive: The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Department are committed to a healthy, physically fit and well-trained police department. In demonstrating that committment, officers who participate and meet standards established in a police academy-sponsored wellness program, or meet the physical standards established by the academy during the annual in-service training, are rewarded with administrative leave up to 5 days.

cmh308, I live in Cincinnati and i am surprised Columbus was listed lol

WOW Austin made #1, what about Travis County, why are we not in there, or do they not want Sheriff Depts. hmmm, sup with that.

I haven't been in every one of the listed cities.

But, of the ones I've ever lived in or visited, I totally agree with the comments.

Two things: (a) I'm surprised that San Diego is only #25, and, (b) any folks who aspire to join Portland, OR PD, just be aware there is a lawyer up there who somehow believes he is on this earth to issue parking tickets to on-duty patrol officers...I kid you not...