Whats the difference between a state cop and a town cop? DO the state cops make more money then the towns and?

Question

are they more experienced?

Answer 1

State cops basically patrol the US highways like the interstates, etc... and yes they do make more money...

Answer 2

The difference is state police have statewide jurisdiction and usually are the experts at handling the major highways. Town cops or city cops have jurisdiction within the town. As far as pay goes it depends on the city. Some places the city cops make much more because of a controlled tax base or strong union. Some smaller towns the state cops make more.

Answer 3

Okay ...to clarify, state and local cops CANNOT generally enforce federal laws. Federal law is enforced by federal officers/agents or their designees. Most federal laws also have mirrored violations in state law, but some (such as immigration) generally do not. Outside of immigration violations, I can think of few federal violations that are not also state violations, so the need for local/state officers to enforce federal law is non existent.

The differences between a state and a local cop might vary by state. In CA the only real difference is that the PRIMARY jurisdiction of the state officer is the entire state, whereas the primary jurisdiction of a local officer is the political subdivision where the officer works.

State cops are no more and no less "experienced" than local cops. In my state most state officers are CHP, and that means that their experiences are pretty limited. While they may tend to be experts in traffic law, they may not be experienced at all in many other aspects of the law - issues that local cops have to wade hip deep in to every day.

- Carl

Answer 4

Grandpa hit it pretty much right on the head. There are a few rumors I would like to clear up though.
State police have a wider jurisdiction (obviously) and can enforce State and Federal Law throughout the entire jurisdiction or State they work. Generally they enforce laws upon the highways and state roads though, although they have arrest powers anywhere in the state.
A local police officer, county officer or as you call it town officer is limited pretty much to the area within the State that he works. He has a wide range of power though being able to enforce state, city, federal and local ordinances. He can also leave his area (City) and enforce laws under certain conditions (fleeing felons, felonies he might witness).
As far as the pay goes many people think state officers are generally higher paid. This is a myth generally. Unless you are referring to a small town officer (like 5 man department) most cities and counties pay significantly more than the state officers. For example I work in Dade County Florida and will easily make 2 or 3 times what a state officer makes with a much better pension, and overall benefits. State officers are generally way underpaid, under trained, with poor benefits. Working alone on a highway with drunks and all kinds of danger with potentially no back up nearby is a huge risk and deserving of higher pay for sure. I hope this helps!!

Answer 5

And now an answer from someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

The differences in State Police and Municipal Police are the following:

State Police can enforce only State and Federal laws. They often times work a lot of traffic accidents on state highways and in rural areas.

Municipal Police can enforce State and Federal laws as well as Municipal Ordinances. Their duties vary quite a bit from State Police as they are subjected to a wider variety of incidents ranging from traffic enforcement, domestic disturbances and thefts to homicides.

The pay differences largely depend upon the location.Larger cities often pay their officers more than the State Police. Whereas smaller communities and counties pay far less more often than not.

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

State Troopers are usually ex-police officers that have at least 1-3 yrs experience in law enforcement prior to be selected.
Their jurisdiction is wider and they mostly patrol the state serviced highways or roadways. Their primary duty is to run traffic, investigate accidents and drug interdiction.
The town police officers are confined within their city limits. They are the first responders to anything criminal activity within their jurisdiction.
Money wise it depends on who you work for. Some cities pay well and some don't.

Answer 7

State police control the state and towns. Town police control the towns only, but do have the authority to go out of the city limits if they are chasing a suspect.
State police usualy make more money.

Answer 8

State cops have a wider jurisdiction unlike a town cop. Thus, the state cop has more money since his operational area is wider.

Answer 9

usually yes to both questions. and state cops usually are more no nonsense town cops usually respond to domestic disputes ppl speeding in town noise usually just your run of the mill every day stuff while state troopers tend to be more traffic specific patrolling highways, investigating hit and run accidents responding to accidents and more serious crimes usually warrant a state cop