10 Most Stable Cities for Police Officers

If your are looking to make a decent salary go to the east or west coast police departments. If looking for for a job paying under 40K then every thing else is in the middle until you promote in rank. I have been retired in Arizona for 10 years, making 45k a year, maybe I will get a cost of living increase every year. Health insurance runs around 6k 12k a year. Unless you work for Phx PD or another large police department which picks up most of your health insurance cost. I don't know about you but 45K before taxes is tight in this economy. I know on this side of the counrty CA AK have the best salary and retirement benefits, because they move to Arizona and rub it into my nose. LOL

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, well then... I'm going to be down there this summer... *thinking*.

GO TEXAS!!

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX...

this article is not going off of highest starting pay otherwise none of these places would make the list. It seems to me they are going off the statistics that Forbes ranks as most appealing IE: Low unemployment rank, Affordability of housing, and commute times. Obviously there are several departments all over the country that start you higher then these on the list. Do your own research as to where YOU want to work and can afford to live. I see some guys on here from California are offended which I understand until you factor in the EGREGIOUS cost of living in Southern California or in the Bay Area. Another factor you have to consider is what the TOP PAY is where you are looking to work, the time it takes to reach top pay, the benefits package, the pension plan, and most importantly nowadays if they provide medical benefits AFTER retirement. When you look at the big picture then high cost of living places like California, New Jersey, New York, etc... shine above and beyond these places listed here.

Sorry boys and girls but I gotta blow all you out of the water.... Southern Cal tops all of these! LASD & LAPD start at $56,000 and go to $75,000. Most smaller PD's in So.Ca. are close. LASD Sgt's make $90,000-95,000. I am retired LASD Sgt., 32yrs. and I take home $85,000 plus fully paid med..
and all the crime you can fine to fight... Come on out.... The weathers good too....

City of Sandy Springs Police, GA - Is the second largest Metro- Atlanta City. We have 100,000 residence, 10,000 business, 4 Major Hospitals, daytime population exceeds 300,000. We have 150 sworn and 40 square mile city. We are the highest paid Police Department in the State of Georgia. If you are a Georgia Certified Peace Officer you will start at $48,000 and a take home car.

This is off for Colorado Springs. They're about to be 50 officers short next year, 2010, and aren't filling any openings now. And the crime rate is spiking. I lived there 2 years ago and you could almost not even have to worry about being stopped. some of CSPD that I chatted with said they have 10-20 calls stacked at times when they come on shift. The new chief disband Traffic, so the only 2 elements of that that remain are the DUI team and Motors. Everyone else was reassigned to Patrol and they're still swamped. Great agency, but Colo. Spgs. sees public safety as expendable. They've cut FD slots as well. Very sad.