Top 25 Cities for Police Officers

136 Comments

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#20. St. Louis, MO

Population: 354,361

City’s Average Salary: $40,630 

Starting Salary for Police Officers: $37,514

Cost of Living Rank (in a 1-100 list): 23

Average Commute Time: 21.5 minutes

Job Growth Rank (in a list of 372 Highest Growth Cities): 179

Unemployment Rate: 9.2

Known as the city that marks the divide between the Eastern and Western United States, St. Louis is often called the “Gateway City.” It’s home to some of the nation’s largest public and privately held corporations —Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Scottrade, Energizer and Anheuser-Busch Breweries are just a few of its best known local companies.

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CHPFantasy

almost 5 years ago

30 Comments

Good stats, but do you have any information from outside the US? If not, is there a possibility of doing a similar article on, say, Canada?
theshieldman2000

almost 5 years ago

578 Comments

hhmmmm..., thought Morgantown, WV, led the nation in growth and unemployment?.......In fact wasn't their a special on Dateline NBC, or the TODAY SHOW about Morgantown, WV? Oh well, lowest pay, lowest cost of living, and LOWEST CRIME RATE!!
Leddy610

almost 5 years ago

204 Comments

Im surprised Philly is on the list, considering the recent rash of OIS's they've had. I will say that I spend quite a bit of time in Philly (I live 1.5 hours away and am a huge Flyers and Phillies fan), and I love the city (especially Old city). It's got great history and wonderful restaurants and nightlife. And, I've spoken casually with numerous on-duty officers during my visits, and I've encountered nothing but professionalism and genuine love for fellow officers.
los008

almost 5 years ago

480 Comments

Interesting!!!
Anonymous

almost 5 years ago

Hawaii...here I come!
Irishcop1961

almost 5 years ago

42928 Comments

Surprised by some of the cities on the list.
akeribear

almost 5 years ago

2286 Comments

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.
manny110

almost 5 years ago

42 Comments

would love to move to Austin, Texas....the city is great, schools are great for the kids.
im to old for PD but corrections is hiring and so is sheriffs dept...
PETE114

almost 5 years ago

1396 Comments

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.
bat001

almost 5 years ago

82 Comments

San Antonio, TX and Austin, TX are the top 2 on this list. I'm cursed with living in Houston. Go figure...
oldtimecopper

almost 5 years ago

102 Comments

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.
NY_808

almost 5 years ago

58 Comments

Yeah a couple cities on this list isn't hiring. Where was Las Vegas Metro PD they are always hiring!?
blueblood454

almost 5 years ago

98 Comments

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.
mudpuppynj

almost 5 years ago

384 Comments

This list is interesting I suppose. I do not understand how Honolulu, Boston, or San Diego make this list when they have some of the highest cost of living in the country. Then you put Killadelphia on here where the top pay is 54K and change base salary? Seriously, C'mon. I have heard Austin is a great place to live and work but who in their right mind wants to move to Buffalo, Rochester, etc?? I could care less that no city in NJ is listed. Though tit for tat, our salaries and benefits match up to ANY department in the U.S. Alas, and to give folks an idea what I am talking about the NJSP (New Jersey State Police) top out at $104,000 for a Trooper 1 based on last year, with no cost medical benefits and a great pension. So I ask again how do you compile a list like this?
TGman

almost 5 years ago

594 Comments

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