Shouldn't police get battle pay too?

500grains · #1 08-22-10, 12:55

No slight or offense intended to .mil folks who receive battlepay as they certainly deserve it and more.

If you look at the conditions some police are exposed to, whether dealing with gang bangers, crackheads or whatever, it seems to me those officers should receive a compensation upgrade compared to the guy at the office looking up stuff on the criminal ID database, processing fingerprint cards, or even the officer giving traffic tickets, due to the additional stress and the additional hazards involved.

dookie1481 · #2 08-22-10, 13:18

I got out of the Marine Corps in 2003 as a Sgt with 4 years time in service. I made something like $1700 a month. My buddy's sister has less than 3 years with North Las Vegas PD. She cleared like 70k last year. I believe most police are compensated fairly, particularly when you factor in OT. Try being a Marine and telling your Plt Sgt you should be getting OT pay LMAO

Jay

Gutshot John · #3 08-22-10, 13:30

Not in my opinion.

Sure the job has risks but if they don't like a risky job, find another one. A soldier doesn't have that luxury. There are walking the same streets as we do. If the streets are so unsafe that your average cop requires combat pay, than perhaps they're not doing their jobs.

Any risk should be calculated into their base salary.

Belmont31R · #4 08-22-10, 13:35

I think most LEO's are making pretty decent money already especially with overtime. When I was lower enlisted and single even deployed it would take me 3-4 years to make what some of these guys around here make in 1 year.

So, no, I dont think they need MORE pay for doing the job they signed up to do, and I think combat pay for mil is kinda stupid, too, as is family sep pay. If you think there is a disparagement in LEO pay there is a HUGE one in the mil if you are married or not. It costs way more for a married soldier than a single one. Separate housing, pay, family sep pay when deployed, their kids get medical care, don't get meal costs taken out of their check, etc. I had a guy in my team who's wife needed a breast reduction surgery, and she had to go to a German hospital. It cost more than what I got paid in my entire 1st enlistment all for a fat cunt who sat on her ass all day, and didn't do a damned thing but pop babies out. All the money spent on DOD schools on post and overseas, etc. But if you're single you get fucked, live in a prison cell sized room, and get gyped on pay (in comparison). Some of those married people over there were getting like 1500 euro equivalent a month for an off post apartment (more than I made in a month being single).

I could see K9 handlers getting paid more because they have to take care of a dog 24/7, feed it, and the dog doesn't really belong to them personally.

mr_smiles · #5 08-22-10, 13:37

I'm not sure where in this country the casualty rate is as high as say Afghanistan.

Also most 11b's arent pulling in six figures, I know plenty of police who are. The starting wage here is around $46k while at the academy. Of course you don't pay into social security so that saves a bit, and when you get out of the academy it's not hard to make $80-100k a year.

Not sure about the east coast, but west coast pays well, CHP gets min $75k starting out.

Cagemonkey · #6 08-22-10, 13:42

I agree with dookie. I'd say the majority of most PO's make good money with salary and OT. Here in Mass. they make a lot on traffic details. Some PO's are making six figure salaries. I feel for the Big City street cops. Their the exception to the rule. The should have a formula. Say take the rate of Homicides, violent crimes, felonies and Officer casualty rates and factor it into their salaries. I'm sick of seeing some small town, Barney Fife acting all bad ass writing up traffic violations in Yuppieville. They should have an exchange programs in place. Send the small town Fife to the Big City. Send the Big City cop to Yuppieville for some R&R. These so called civil servants complain how tough things are. Meanwhile, theirs a waiting list a mile long for job openings never mind affirmative action, nepotism, politics etc.

Entropy · #7 08-22-10, 13:44

Most non-LEOs will tell you that they think cops make enough money as it is and probably need a pay cut.

Most LEOs will tell you that given the work that they do day-in, day-out they deserve more money.

They are both right. NYPD officers that retire at age 45 on a pension of over 100k a year, need to be investigated. Rural Tennessee deputies that make $30k and are forced to work 30 years before retirement need a pay raise. It depends on the location, the presents of unions, and the funding of the department.

For me working Federal, I make decent money. There are many city department LEOs that make more than me. I am not allowed to join a union, or else I'll be fired. So, I feel that it keeps my pay reasonable and reflective of the needs of my locality.

cop1211 · #8 08-22-10, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by dookie1481

I got out of the Marine Corps in 2003 as a Sgt with 4 years time in service. I made something like $1700 a month. My buddy's sister has less than 3 years with North Las Vegas PD. She cleared like 70k last year. I believe most police are compensated fairly, particularly when you factor in OT. Try being a Marine and telling your Plt Sgt you should be getting OT pay LMAO

Jay

I've been an leo for 14 years, base is 51,000. I was also USMC, dont forget when in the service, you get free housing, electric,water,food,clothing allowance, insurance.

Which thanks to Obamacare ours just doubled, if you have kids (I have 4) the "good package would be almost 1,000 a month.

Belmont31R · #9 08-22-10, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entropy

Most non-LEOs will tell you that they think cops make enough money as it is and probably need a pay cut.

Most LEOs will tell you that given the work that they do day-in, day-out they deserve more money.

They are both right. NYPD officers that retire on a pension of over 100k a year, need to be investigated. Rural Tennessee deputies that make $30k and are forced to work 30 years before retirement need a pay raise. It depends on the location, the presents of unions, and the funding of the department.

For me working Federal, I make decent money. There are many city department LEOs that make more than me. I am not allowed to join a union, or else I'll be fired. So, I feel that it keeps my pay reasonable and reflective of the needs of my locality.

I thought the start paying for NYPD was like 25k a year?

Also 30k in a cheap place to live isn't that bad, and with a little overtime you would be doing ok. If you have a wife who makes 20-40k a year also you'd do better than a cop in NYC making 100k a year due to the cost of living.

Belmont31R · #10 08-22-10, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by cop1211

I've been an leo for 14 years, base is 51,000. I was also USMC, dont forget when in the service, you get free housing, electric,water,food,clothing allowance, insurance.

Which thanks to Obamacare ours just doubled, if you have kids (I have 4) the "good package would be almost 1,000 a month.

Maybe free housing, water, and electric but I always had food money taken out of my check, and it didn't matter how often you ate at the chow hall. Even if we were in the field 200 miles away we got 220 bucks a month taken out even though we never ate there. Finance would never do the "missed meal" forms for us because they'd be doing 3 forms a day for each person. Not too many people ate there 3X a day 7 days a week. So Im sure all the money I got gyped out of meal pay reimbursed them for my electric and water usage and then some. 220X12= $2640 a year I had to pay, and I maybe ate there 4-5X a month averaged out.

bkb0000 · #11 08-22-10, 14:05

these streetz aint "combat," nor anything even fricken close. an 11b in a-stan can expect to take fire pretty regularly, as well as kill people if given the opportunity. most cops will go 20 years without ever getting shot at nor shooting anyone. how is that even comparable?

in my opinion, the militarization of local police officers is a pretty big problem. i dont suppose i'll ever support any effort to give them even more ammo for the argument that they have some crazy dangerous job and need to be given complete and total control of every human being they come into contact with, and display that authority, at every opportunity.

MK18Pilot · #12 08-22-10, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkb0000

these streetz aint "combat," nor anything even fricken close. an 11b in a-stan can expect to take fire pretty regularly, as well as kill people if given the opportunity. most cops will go 20 years without ever getting shot at nor shooting anyone. how is that even comparable?

in my opinion, the militarization of local police officers is a pretty big problem. i dont suppose i'll ever support any effort to give them even more ammo for the argument that they have some crazy dangerous job and need to be given complete and total control of every human being they come into contact with, and display that authority, at every opportunity.

Unless you are employed with LV Metro.

cop1211 · #13 08-22-10, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkb0000

these streetz aint "combat," nor anything even fricken close. an 11b in a-stan can expect to take fire pretty regularly, as well as kill people if given the opportunity. most cops will go 20 years without ever getting shot at nor shooting anyone. how is that even comparable?

in my opinion, the militarization of local police officers is a pretty big problem. i dont suppose i'll ever support any effort to give them even more ammo for the argument that they have some crazy dangerous job and need to be given complete and total control of every human being they come into contact with, and display that authority, at every opportunity.

WOW, Take a ride along and see what the average street cop has to deal with on a daily basis before forming such a negative opinion.

Irish · #14 08-22-10, 14:26

I do not believe they should get "combat pay" as they aren't operating in a combat zone. I'm sure there are plenty of cops who work in areas that might be considered war zones due to the amount of crime but they're still a far shot from the Middle East.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont31R

But if you're single you get fucked, live in a prison cell sized room, and get gyped on pay (in comparison).

Not me, my "living quarters" were the same underway or in our home port, my rack. This was my glamorous living area for nearly 4 years. So yeah, when you're single you get fucked being in the .mil.

jklaughrey · #15 08-22-10, 14:27

Do as some of us do and get a second part time gig. I clear over 60k as a LEO and then for about 20 hours a month I do consulting for a manufacturer of ammunition and that pays around 20-25k, plus I get all the freebies as well. Side jobs are the way to market yourself when you transition from LE over to the private sector. That way your "set up" with a retirement gig. Cops have been doing it for years. Combat pay, well only in large Metro areas do I see it as viable.

Irish · #16 08-22-10, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkb0000

in my opinion, the militarization of local police officers is a pretty big problem. i dont suppose i'll ever support any effort to give them even more ammo for the argument that they have some crazy dangerous job and need to be given complete and total control of every human being they come into contact with, and display that authority, at every opportunity.

I'm in total agreement.

NCPatrolAR · #17 08-22-10, 14:29

While people talk about LEOs making 6 digit incomes that certainly isnt the case everywhere or even in most places. As has been mentioned before; police pay depends on region, police type, and a host of other reasons. I work for a large agency, been here for over 8 years and gross approximately $55/k annually. Our OT has recently be changed to being paid on a 28 day cycle so there is no extra money there, but there wasn't a lot there to start with. Hell; around here the only way to get paid more is to get promoted. All job assignments pay the exact same.

We do have the ability to work side jobs; but those are paid through the company hiring us and are typically accompanied by a 10-99 at the end of the year.

Law enforcement isn't a career field you enter for the pay.

And when it comes to combat pay; no, LEOs shouldn't get anything like it.

cop1211 · #18 08-22-10, 14:29

Also before this thread heads down the "cop bashing" route.

I have a nephew that is a grunt with the 101st, did a tour in Iraq, and is in Kandahar now. And yes the combat troops deserve more money for what they do.

And yes some leo's are underpaid for what they do. Depends on where you live/work.

South of the Mason/Dixon generally sucks for pay/benefits.

And yes people choose to live in a certain area, and choose to get into law enforcement. So it is what it is.

I'm glad to have a job and to be able to put food on the table and pay my bills.

SteyrAUG · #19 08-22-10, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500grains

No slight or offense intended to .mil folks who receive battlepay as they certainly deserve it and more.

If you look at the conditions some police are exposed to, whether dealing with gang bangers, crackheads or whatever, it seems to me those officers should receive a compensation upgrade compared to the guy at the office looking up stuff on the criminal ID database, processing fingerprint cards, or even the officer giving traffic tickets, due to the additional stress and the additional hazards involved.

Well why not give it to the residents also?

To answer your question, no.

Cops can quit and decide to work at Pizza Hut anytime they wish. Deployed military folks...not so much.

bkb0000 · #20 08-22-10, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by cop1211

WOW, Take a ride along and see what the average street cop has to deal with on a daily basis before forming such a negative opinion.

it's you who assume- i've rode with every major department in this corner of the state, some of them multiple times. i speak from what i've observed.

also- don't assume just because i am critical that i'm "cop bashing" or "anti-cop." lately i've even been considering applying at my local department, and putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak.