Who still thinks that cops are overworked, and financially underappreciated?

Question

Compensation and Benefits

Based upon the current State Police bargaining unit contract newly appointed trooper trainees will receive:

$36,223 while in the academy
$45,418 upon graduating from the Academy (as of 07/01/2006)
Overtime
Longevity payments after 10 years of service
Shift Differential
$15.45 per day for meal allowance
Tuition Reimbursement

$500.00 Education incentive for B.A. Degree that is job related.
Paid Time Off

12 vacation days per calendar year
03 personal leave days per calendar year
15 sick days per calendar year
12 holidays per year
Workers Compensation if injured on the job
State Car and Gasoline

State issued equipment, with off-duty use of assigned vehicle in accordance with current rules and regulations

RETIREMENT BENEFITS:

20 years service eligible for 50% of average three (3) best years’ earnings
2% for each additional year after 20 years service
prior military may be credited
Health insurance at retirement

Not mentioned: THis is in the State of CT, and includes 4.5% annual raises a year.

http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?a=2156&Q=294446&dpsNav=|

Can I use my state police cruiser for personal business?

Yes. Every Connecticut State Trooper is assigned their own vehicle. This vehicle may be used for personal use.

At this rate, I'd be a proud pig...

Not bad, for a state that rejects applicants with high IQs:
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_56314.html

Answer 1

I don't know what country fr chuck is from, but in America, a starting wage of 36k (about $17 an hour) and full benefits for a job that typically requires no college and no experience is damn good. But it does depend on which department you're working for.

Out in my neck of the woods, a cop starts out at about 24k a year with full benefits. It's not much, but at the same time, cops around here spend most of their shift doing absolutely nothing. So considering there workload, I'd say they're also overpaid.

It's not just cops though. Public employees of any sort tend to make a lot more than the industry standard. Probably because bureaucrats design the compensation packages with someone elses money (yours and mine) rather than their own.

Answer 2

Gee, Wanda, this may be the only useful thing I've ever seen you post. Maybe I should move to Connecticut. Becuase the pay and benefits there are a heck of a lot better than any department around here. In general, though, I do still feel that police officers as a whole are still underpaid and underappreciated.

Two further notes: "State issued equipment, with off-duty use of assigned vehicle in accordance with current rules and regulations" does not say you can use it for personal business or for whatever you feel like. Every department policy regarding the use of vehicles off-duty allows only for use to and from work and for use during approved off-duty jobs, since they are acting in their official capacity.

And before you pull out your favorite "statistic" about low IQ's, don't bother. My IQ is 132, and I am a police officer. Don't believe me? I don't care, but here ya go: http://giqtest.com/testapp/resumeTestAction.struts?RESUMEID=1154559673686 They didn't reject me, in fact, were happy to have me. And I've advanced in the ranks as quickly as allowable under current promotion policies. I even have a college degree. As do many of my colleagues. Just so you know, I've never actually seen a police department that conducts an IQ test during hiring, so rejecting someone based on an IQ score (either high or low) isn't going to happen except in bizarre cases. That little article you like to reference is the exception, not the rule.

Answer 3

wages are live able, one should consider that every time they stop someone, or answer a call, they are putting their life on the line. they are expected to keep their cool in every situation, and calm the people who need their help, i have seen police man/woman. ..run into a burning building[fire support not there yet] and look for people, kids, animals, and help people out of the building.... i for one, would triple their salary if i could, and not complain about the money. they are pricless....i think they should be paid like lawyers and doctors....it only take one injury and they might be sitting behind a desk for the rest of their careers and even worse....the police are the first to be called for help and they deserve a dugget they receive.....even the criminals call for help when they get in trouble or need help....go figure.............

Answer 4

Yes that is not very much for the area compared to many jobs

OF course you have to compare that to perhaps the White County Sheriff office in TN where the starting pay is 8 dollars a hour, there is no mael allowance, not raises on any regular basis there is no medical or life insurance and there is no deucation incentivte.

So yes police are very underpaid for what they do.

Answer 5

You really should thank law enforcement for giving you a purpose in life. If it weren't for your unhealthy obsession with police misconduct, you'd have absolutely nothing going for you. Perhaps if you put this much time and effort into parenting, your son might be better behaved and he could avoid further police contact.

Answer 6

Yes, even at the rates you mention, they are underpaid. I'm thankfull for each & every one of them. Their lives are on the line every day & they have to put up with all kinds of BS from all kinds of people all the time. They wear distinctive uniforms which can (&sometimes does) make them easy targets. They're subjected to nasty smells, messes, dangers we can't even begin to imagine & are expected to be nice to everyone all the time, no matter what. They usually don't get holidays off & when they go to work at the beginning of their shifts, they never know if they're going to make it back home. They earn every cent & every perq they get & then some.

Answer 7

Cops are underpaid. Where I live most cops start out at about $22,000 per year. That doesn't sound too bad for someone who rides around all day, unless they make a traffic stop, get out of their car and get shot, maybe even killed. Every encounter a police office has may be his/her last. Would you do that for $22,000 per year? $50,000? $100,000? I wouldn't.

Answer 8

Police, like anyone else who takes a job, knows what the pay and benefit compensation package is prior to their first day.

If they decide to take the job anyways, knowing said information, then he or she doesn't have the right to complain.

If you feel like the job is going to be one of those "over worked, under paid", then you should have found a different job meeting your requirements of "fair work and fair pay".

Get over it.

Answer 9

I think both police and firefighters are underpaid and underappreciated. Where would we have been without them on 9/11/2001 in NYC?

Answer 10

Grow up Wanda. Cops are under paid.