Best salary for big city police departments?

[Kyle49]

I was wondering which big city department pays the highest salary. According to the Chicago police department's website, they pay $50,000 after 18 months. Is that the best for a big city department? And is the NYPD the lowest paying for a big city department?

Thanks in advance

Kyle

[Charlie]

First and foremost: I am NOT a salary and benefits expert...; ) Having said that---

If you are referring to all the known major cities in the US, you have to factor in the local cost of living for the areas in question. Generally speaking, the east and west coast areas of the US are known to generally have a higher costs of living (i.e.: apartment rent, real estate, taxes, etc.). Therefore, at least on paper, salaries offered at some police departments in these areas may seem to be, in comparision to other agencies say in the southwestern US (where cost of living may be less expensive), higher and more desireable. BUT, when you compare the two salaries, you're living equal lifestyles or levels of living. Some PD's also make up for what they might be lacking in salaries through benefit packages or other perks they may offer.

So, to make a long story short, $$$ does not always equal a better place to work! ;) Keep in mind that this a very broad speaking exampe and is, of course, my humble opinion about this issue...
--
Charlie

[Joeyd6]

There is a way to figure all that info in. One man has doen it all, or I should say one organization. Go to: www.policepay.net. They break it down there, including uniform pay and sick time/vacation. Check it out there.
-Good luck!

[Piggy]

I think it's Nassau, New York that makes over 100K per year. I do CHP Officers who can take home over 100K with OT. I had one as an instructor for a class one time. He had quite a few years on with the motor unit, but he was taking home triple digits.

The lowest paid in our area has to be the Indiana War Memorial Police. They make about $17K annual salary. Funny thing, they have a high turnover rate too.

[Kyle49]

Thanks Joey.

[retdetsgt]

As Charlie said, you gotta be careful when you look at just pay. San Francisco pays good money, but the cost of housing there is horrible. A little bitty apt will cost you at least a grand a month.

There are web sites that will give you a comparable cost of living in various cities. Use those along with the police pay site.

[Joeyd6]

Thanks Joey.

Welcome

[cecilVA]

Policepay.net is probably the best way to go, they factor in ALL the benefits of a department as well as COLA and then put them in some formula which comes out with the highest paid. They should be pretty reliable, one of their services is to do research for police unions in order to see if a department can afford to give them a raise during contract negotiations. Their website also has the contracts for certain cities which can give you more information than you would find on the department webpage.

[JD45]

As Charlie said, you gotta be careful when you look at just pay. San Francisco pays good money, but the cost of housing there is horrible. A little bitty apt will cost you at least a grand a month.

There are web sites that will give you a comparable cost of living in various cities. Use those along with the police pay site.

I knew that SF made less than us, but I was really suprised, especially for what they deal with. I make as much top step as a Sgt. there.. :eek:

[Old Trooper]

Nassau Co. NY was always one of the highest paid in the country...but I knew a few guys who were homeowners and paying 15k per year in property and school taxes! No bargains there, bro!

[Retired Trooper]

If I remember right I heard Suffolk county NY was around 100K

[Charlie]

Isn't there an agency in the Nevada area (or that area of the country) called Henderson or Florence or something like that that pays around $100+k per year? Heard that somewhere but I regret I cannot recall the specific agency's name... I hate to be vague...
--
Charlie

[cecilVA]

North Las Vegas PD, Las Vegas Metro PD, and Henderson are always in the top ten on policepay.net. No state income tax in that state either.