Cops Salary?
I’m thinking about being a narcotics detective or in s.w.a.t. and I was just wondering what is the salary for that job? I’ve done my own research and have come close but haven’t gotten a cigar. I really am into law enforcement and want that as a career
I don’t care about the money but I wanna get paid. If i move to a land where money doesn’t matter then i wont worry about little everyday things like bills and costs to live. :0)
Well first you need to be a patrolman, the entry level position on all police departments, it takes several years before you can even hope to be considered for the positions you mention. As far as salary goes, it really depends on where you live. All departments have different pay schedules. I can only speak for the departments in my area. Boston Police Officers have a starting salary of $46,000/year. In addition you will be paid overtime (should you work it) and can request paid details where you will be paid an hourly rate by the organization that hired you. For example, a bar that has a police officer work the door has hired that officer for a paid detail. The typical rate for a police detail depends on the ranking of the officer. A patrolman will recieve about $25-$30 per hour, while a higher ranking officer can recieve between $35-$40 per hour. In addition, in Massachusetts there is something called the "Quinn Bill" which is a pay incentive program that offers police officers who continue their education an incease in their base pay.
I admire that you want to be a LEO, however this is not a job you do "for the money", you really have to love it, and want to do it, because its a very difficult and stressful job that requires long hours. When you look at it in that manner, like teachers, cops are woefully underpaid.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:22 am
good for you for wanting to be in law enforcement i don’t know much about narcotics detective but for SWAT you first have to be in the police force for 5 years then IF you get into swat i think you will start off around 70,000 something ( but this info is only for the L.A.P.D. other departments may vary)
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October 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 am
Why would you want to be some one who is universally hated by everyone they meet and only exist to harass the public?
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October 22nd, 2009 at 6:46 am
you are kinda putting the cart before the horse. You have to be a Patrol officer first, then when you have time and experience (most places it is a minimum of 5 years) you can put in for a specialized unit.
Salary varies a great deal even with departments that are close to each other. To be honest, money should not even be a factor let alone your first thought. Although I doubt it was your first thought, No one becomes a cop to get rich. No one honest anyways.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 am
Go Federal Law Enforcement, the bennies are better than State or Local LE.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 am
Well first you need to be a patrolman, the entry level position on all police departments, it takes several years before you can even hope to be considered for the positions you mention. As far as salary goes, it really depends on where you live. All departments have different pay schedules. I can only speak for the departments in my area. Boston Police Officers have a starting salary of $46,000/year. In addition you will be paid overtime (should you work it) and can request paid details where you will be paid an hourly rate by the organization that hired you. For example, a bar that has a police officer work the door has hired that officer for a paid detail. The typical rate for a police detail depends on the ranking of the officer. A patrolman will recieve about $25-$30 per hour, while a higher ranking officer can recieve between $35-$40 per hour. In addition, in Massachusetts there is something called the "Quinn Bill" which is a pay incentive program that offers police officers who continue their education an incease in their base pay.
I admire that you want to be a LEO, however this is not a job you do "for the money", you really have to love it, and want to do it, because its a very difficult and stressful job that requires long hours. When you look at it in that manner, like teachers, cops are woefully underpaid.
References :
http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/exam.asp
http://www.cityofboston.gov/arts/film/permitting.asp
http://www.osfa.mass.edu/quinnbill/faq.asp
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
Forget their gripes. You can’t go wrong with a career as a cop. Starting salary is in the high $40s and steps up to mid $50s in six months in my town!
Then there’s the fringe benefits….
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