I'd probably add one more variable to your analysis: cost-of-living compared police salary. I'd guess that one reason Chicago is so much higher on your list than New York is due to the ability of middle class families to buy a house in Chicago. On two salaries, let's say a police officer and teacher, you could probably afford a moderate older 3 bedroom house with a little yard in an average neighborhood in Chicago. Not likely in New York.
- Mike Combs · University of MichiganBeat me to the punch! I was just typing that out until I read this. I was thinking the same of a place like San Diego. Decent housing is so expensive in the city that I imagine most police with families are all but forced to live in a nearby suburb that is more affordable.Reply · · August 20, 2014 at 2:01pm
- Matt Michel · Top Commenter · Chicago, Illinois
- Chris Strout · Data Nerd at TIAA-CREFMatt Michel -- I'd be interested to see a heat map of just where they live. Things may have changed in the past decade, but if memory serves, the far NW Side is heavily populated with CPD -- it is within City limits, but is a far cry from many of the areas they patrol.
- Terri M. Groshong · Pittsburg, CaliforniaOne issue I rarely see mentioned is that these officers have family with children. I don't know if I would want my kids going to scool with children of someone I just arrested or put in jail. Peer pressure is tough enough these days. I wouldn't want to risk subjecting my kids to a possible vengeful student if I was a policertain officer.
- Fannie T. JohnsonMy last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My sisters friend has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out. This is what I do,
www.Job-Scan.ComONLY
PLEASE REMOVE THE ONLY.Reply · · December 8, 2014 at 3:40am
- Robert Bogard · St. LouisI wonder about these numbers. You show St. Louis as having only 59% of its police living within the City of St. Louis (the City of St. Louis is a separate entity from St. Louis County, the latter including for example Ferguson). In St. Louis City there is a legal requirement that all police officers live within the city limits.
- Bob Crowley · Southwestern Regional Sales Manager at Southeastern Aluminum Products, Inc.I agree with Sarah. Cost of living is a major factor. Not including it renders the article a bit lame.
Bottom line, being a police officer is a difficult job and theydon't get payed much for the abuse they have to take and the danger they have to endire, - Janis LeeNumbers are incorrect. Oakland Ca. Does not have 1500 officers. San Francisco does not have 3200 officers - their authorized strength is in the neighborhood of 1700 officers. Makes me wonder how many other numbers are wrong in this survey.
