Pay rates

[holdfast]

Hello everyone,
First, I'd like to thank all you good peace officers for putting everything on the line in order to keep people safe. I'm sure there is even more stress involved when you also have to be prepared for terrorism in the US. I am not a LEO, as you can tell. I am curious to know, with all of the responsibility and risk involved, what police officers are generally paid? I read in another thread of starting jobs in the low $40's. That seems low to me. Is there ample opportunity for advancement and commensurate pay?

Regards,
Holdfast

[CAB980002]

Starting for my dept is about $28,000. After a year it goes to about $33,000. I wish we started at $40,000+. Around my area the high paid dept's only start out in the mid too high 30's.

[msidner]

When I was still looking at going into law enforcement the local big department was at around 30k/yr. Given I was making that in the private security sector and was looking for more pay in the transition, I just ended up going into telecommunications. I always find it surprising how little we pay the folks who put their butts on the line daily. I do know a few detectives that make some pretty good money, then again most of the one's I know had nearly 10 years in or so before they got there. So, maybe someday I'll take the time to go through the academy and become and auxilliary, but that's for another day.

Matthew

[Super Trucker]

So, maybe someday I'll take the time to go through the academy and become and auxilliary

Isn't that a high dollar thing to do, like 8 grand plus a few months of time also I thought auxiliary were not paid, maybe I am way off here.

[msidner]

Eh, a couple of the Sherrif's offices here in central Ohio, if I recall correctly, as well as Columbus Police, provice the academy free of charge if you're going to become an auxilliary. The big difference is 1) You have to put in 8hrs per month minimum. 2) You're only considered a peace officer while on duty for that department, not when off duty. 3) Yea, no pay for it, but if I were interested in it for money I'd be doing a career change and a serious lifestyle readjustment I basically chalk it up to one of those "things I'd like to do with my life" things. Mostly the Aux around here assist with traffic control for special events, crowd control, etc, and work with a full time officer/deputy as his/her partner for a shift. I would like to do the training (makes one appreciate more what others do to keep the peace), and get the first hand experience, and do something to help out, its just part of my nature

Matthew

[jnc36rcpd]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Holdfast. If you log onto www.policepay.net, you'll get an idea of what the larger and some smaller agencies are paying around the country. I understand they're putting together a section that will address all California law enforcement agencies. Be safe.