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Top 25 Cities for Police Officers
Photo: Franco Folini | CreativeCommons
Kevin Powers, PoliceLink.com
Not every U.S. city is created equal, and so when it comes time for a police officer to choose a department, there can be a lot to consider.
Understanding the overall health and standard of living in a city can make a big difference during one's career. A high starting salary can be a major reason for signing on, but will it be worth if if rent dries up most of your pay, unemployment is rising and it takes you two hours to get to the station every morning?
Everything from department funding to the job market for your non-LEO spouse can have an impact on your life, and consequently a review of each prospective new home should be looked at with a wide lens.
So, which cities currently offer the most overall value?
We've adapted this list, which takes into account various economic and quality of life metrics, to provide anyone with an interest or opportunity to compare what these cities have to offer.
The Criteria
We looked at cities' growth rates, average salaries and costs of living.
We factored in average commute time — which, according to experts, has a colossal impact on your overall happiness.
We looked not only at unemployment figures, but also at the rate that unemployment has actually increased since February 2008.
Whether you are just finishing up a degree and looking for a department, or are a seasoned LEO and are simply curious to see where your hometown ranks, read on to see which cities made the list.
The List: City #25 >>
revbaseball19
6 months ago
6 Comments
Haha Deli are you surprised Houston missed the list?
Account Removed
6 months ago
I was a little surprised to see Cincinnati where it is. Despite the media and other silliness... its a pretty good department. There are some recent policy issues that make things rough... but overall its a good department. Anyone out there who can comment on Raleigh, NC?
Gunning
6 months ago
5144 Comments
Hmmmm. I live near one of these cities.
Deli1822
6 months ago
332 Comments
Austin hmm? Or San Antone? Both a couple hours away from Houston...
(Which was missed on the lisr)
OfficerMNV879
6 months ago
10 Comments
Don't go to Louisville Metro PD either.....Mayor nor the Chief supports their law enforcement officers!!! Crime rate has gone up since Chief White has come to the dept. just like any dept he goes to!!! Moral is at an all time low!!! Fixing to take away the take home car program and officers now have to pay to use their patrol car off duty or drive it home!!!
avmonaco
6 months ago
6 Comments
No Phoenix? Bummer...
nebraska_deputy
6 months ago
1172 Comments
I would LOVE to move to Denver,but my wife would never go for it.
kylereedy
6 months ago
2 Comments
its goo to see what happens when police officers interact with the people who pay there wages and try to make a difference in the community instead of treating every one they encounter like crap i know that not all cop are bad its the 20% or so that join the fore to go after the people that are like the kids that treated them like crap in high school. a police officers job is to serve and protected not population control and harassing the citizens that pay there wages. they need to start spending time with the people in there community and see what they can do to improve there community after all thats why they joined in the first place not to add to the chaos and confusion. thats just what i think they need the communities involvement to make a difference
kimdo
6 months ago
2 Comments
I recently moved back to the Bay Area, CA from San Diego. I'm surprised they do not have Fremont on the list. It has one of the highest salaries and benefits in the nation and impressive job schedule. The same time, it is very difficult department to get into now so job growth may have ceased.
San Diego, though I love their department, is constantly facing money issues and problems with the the city. While it was going to increase employment, the financial crisis has forced the department to lower the number of accepted new trainees. Like chucky said, the department is gravely understaffed and getting worse as many employees transfer to other cities and departments for better pay.
ninjava
6 months ago
6 Comments
i think the population here in honolulu is a bit more than 5xx,xxx or at least feel like it is, haha. also good to see how we rank amogst all these major city groups.good list.
clobster
6 months ago
584 Comments
If you plan on coming to Seattle to work, plan on a horrendous commute between 5am and 9pm on weekdays. Week-ends are hit or miss.
DallasCo417
6 months ago
340 Comments
DAllas PD starts at 42? and mesquite pd starts at 52... why didnt they get mentioned??
BMWMOTOR8
6 months ago
36 Comments
Oh, and population is floating around 2 million in the valley, but there is North Las Vegas and Henderson as well...Nlv is over 200,000, and Henderson is somewhere about that same number.
BMWMOTOR8
6 months ago
36 Comments
Wow, I am surprised to see Las Vegas didn't make the list. Very good pay and benefits out here, one of the fastest growing cities in the US and commute is controllable by moving near your station. Lots of recreation out here as well, definately one to consider.
alex43223
6 months ago
62 Comments
If he fires 200 cops we need to fire him.