5 ms·

112k seems pretty high for entry level work, considering they most likely don't have a college education, but maybe it makes it possible for them to live here

nessup 13y ago
Police officers put their personal safety on the line daily. I think this compensation is adequate.
- tgraham 13y ago
  I wonder how it compares to other 'public' sector roles that are less unionised - e.g. nursing. Do they earn 100k a year?
- dannypgh 13y ago
  So do quite a lot of other people. Consider the rates of fatal injuries and salaries at http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2013-8?op=1 http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-americ...
  - FireBeyond 13y ago
    Safety makes a huge difference. It is so ingrained into firefighter culture such that despite the risks of this profession, it doesn’t rate as one of the most dangerous jobs (although overall it’s much higher than would seem to be the case - 44 fatalities would put it on this chart, but for the large numbers of volunteer firefighters in remote areas that rarely see a call).
antonius 13y ago
You don't need any form of education (besides high school) to become a police officer? If true, that's pretty surprising to me.
- morganvachon 13y ago
  It's true in most jurisdictions, as far as I know. Having a college degree of some sort can help get you on the fast track to promotions and/or investigative positions. At the sheriff's office where I worked in the past, you didn't get beyond Captain without some college (with certain exceptions for under-the-table nepotism of course).
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
- hollerith 13y ago
  In San Rafael, CA, you need a college degree to become a police officer.
holyjaw 13y ago
Why would they need a college education?
chimeracoder 13y ago
> 112k seems pretty high for entry level work, considering they most likely don't have a college education, but maybe it makes it possible for them to live here Couldn't you say the same about many software developers earning six-figure salaries? After all, we all know that one doesn't need a college education to be a successful developer either.
dataminded 13y ago
Doesn't the salary reflect what the people of San Francisco believe their work to be worth?
skannamalai 13y ago
There's a range listed because (I can't speak for SF specifically, but I have police friends in other Bay Area cities) different skill sets get you a different starting pay. For example, if you have a college degree and speak Spanish, your starting salary will bump up from 80k. If you are part of a K9 unit, your starting salary will bump up from 80k.

nessup 13y ago

Police officers put their personal safety on the line daily. I think this compensation is adequate.

tgraham 13y ago
I wonder how it compares to other 'public' sector roles that are less unionised - e.g. nursing. Do they earn 100k a year?
dannypgh 13y ago
So do quite a lot of other people. Consider the rates of fatal injuries and salaries at http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2013-8?op=1 http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-americ...
- FireBeyond 13y ago
  Safety makes a huge difference. It is so ingrained into firefighter culture such that despite the risks of this profession, it doesn’t rate as one of the most dangerous jobs (although overall it’s much higher than would seem to be the case - 44 fatalities would put it on this chart, but for the large numbers of volunteer firefighters in remote areas that rarely see a call).

antonius 13y ago

You don't need any form of education (besides high school) to become a police officer? If true, that's pretty surprising to me.

morganvachon 13y ago
It's true in most jurisdictions, as far as I know. Having a college degree of some sort can help get you on the fast track to promotions and/or investigative positions. At the sheriff's office where I worked in the past, you didn't get beyond Captain without some college (with certain exceptions for under-the-table nepotism of course).
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
hollerith 13y ago
In San Rafael, CA, you need a college degree to become a police officer.

holyjaw 13y ago

Why would they need a college education?

chimeracoder 13y ago

> 112k seems pretty high for entry level work, considering they most likely don't have a college education, but maybe it makes it possible for them to live here Couldn't you say the same about many software developers earning six-figure salaries? After all, we all know that one doesn't need a college education to be a successful developer either.

dataminded 13y ago

Doesn't the salary reflect what the people of San Francisco believe their work to be worth?

skannamalai 13y ago

There's a range listed because (I can't speak for SF specifically, but I have police friends in other Bay Area cities) different skill sets get you a different starting pay. For example, if you have a college degree and speak Spanish, your starting salary will bump up from 80k. If you are part of a K9 unit, your starting salary will bump up from 80k.