danboi69@... asked this question on 4/24/2000:
I was wondering how much the average police officer would make. I would also like to know what their daley routine would be and the hours they would work.
d_ottr gave this response on 4/24/2000:
The average pay varies from state to state in the US, and also between state patrols and municipal (township, city, and borough) police departments. Most police agenices are represented by a collective bargaining unit that arbitrates salaries compared to other departments of similar size, jurisdictions, and responsibilities. In PA, our State Troopers start out at $37,000, with annual increments awarded in July.
The daily routine varies between job responsibilites. For the patrol officer, it starts at the beginning of the shift with roll call. At that time the officers are briefed on the activities of the previous shift, and are made aware of any circumstances or hazard they could expect during their shift. They are also assigned a particular area to patrol, and an automobile is assigned for operation. The officer then checks his mail for any important notices, such as appearances for hearings, driving records, or contacts from victims, violators, suspects, etc. that need followed up on. Then the officer takes to the road, and patrols his area. During this time the officer is responsible for investigating any criminal activity they are made aware of, and also enforce traffic statutes such as speeding, inspection and registration violations, etc. At the end of the shift, the officer turns in his work (reports, citations issued to violators, news media releases, etc) to his patrol supervisor, finishes up any reports that may need done, and thus ends the work day until his next assigned shift.
The shifts for our officers vary from day to day. Seldom are there "permanent" shifts assigned. Usually the shifts are broken down into daylight (7-3, 8-4, 9-5); afternoon (2-10, 3-11, 4-12); or midnight (11-7, 12-8). The shifts are overlapped to ensure adequate coverage at all times. Officers are required to have at least 9 hours between shifts.
To find out more about the police in your area, contact your local department, or the provincial police, and ask for the Community Policing Officer. He or she would be able to answer any local questions you might have.
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