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How much should cops be paid?

How much should cops make in a year, on average?

  • Less than 50K starting

    Votes: 17 47.2%
  • 50-60K starting

    Votes: 11 30.6%
  • 60-80K starting

    Votes: 8 22.2%
  • 80K-100K starting

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 100K and up

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    36
I see too many potential problems with publishing individual salary information. There are issues with workplace harmony, privacy, and direct marketing.

I wouldn't mind aggregate information being published, with highs, lows, median, mean, stdev, etc, along with a standard pay schedule, but that is as far as I think we should go with it.
 
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I see too many potential problems with publishing individual salary information. There are issues with workplace harmony, privacy, and direct marketing.

It is against my company's policy to discuss salary. I could be fired for telling a co-worker what I make.
 
It is against my company's policy to discuss salary. I could be fired for telling a co-worker what I make.

Yep, I think within a company all salaries should be known, the demanded secrecy is what enables unfair wage practices experienced by most women and many minorities.

Just a quick disclaimer: when I work for a company it is in the capacity of an accountant, so I always know what everyone makes. Not been a direct issue for me, but it is for many.
 
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It is against my company's policy to discuss salary. I could be fired for telling a co-worker what I make.

Our company isn't that strict about it, but there are good reasons to be.
 
That's an issue I had never thought of before.
Taxpayers have a duty to know how their community spends its money, but individuals have a right to privacies.

Certainly, the entire budget for a department should be known, and a break down as to what goes to salaries, maintenance, etc. But at some point, it should stop before individual's salary. Maybe posted by some non identifying information the way the they sometime post grades.
 
I think personal information probably shouldn't be unless it is related to some decisions that his salary effects. Scales should be posted though because decisions about budgets and taxes are related. Individuals' actual pay, no, I can't see a need to know that. If you can't tell the difference, that's you're problem.

No, my dear, if you can't see the similarity, that's your problem.

There is nothing that should be more transparent than how tax dollars are spent. In Illinois, as an example, and I think in most states, there are online data bases to search individual teacher salaries. And their outrageous pensions. That's as it should be. They're using MY money, why would I not have a right to know how much they're making?

But let me get back to the post of mine you quoted. It's okay to leak state secrets...to identify informants and target them for assassination among other things--and, in fact, you say it's a great idea. But letting taxpayers know how their tax dollars are being spent as regards to individual salaries, is an invasion of privacy?

Yep, I think within a company all salaries should be known, the demanded secrecy is what enables unfair wage practices experienced by most women and many minorities.

Huh????
 
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That's an issue I had never thought of before.
Taxpayers have a duty to know how their community spends its money, but individuals have a right to privacies.

Certainly, the entire budget for a department should be known, and a break down as to what goes to salaries, maintenance, etc. But at some point, it should stop before individual's salary. Maybe posted by some non identifying information the way the they sometime post grades.

Entire budgets don't tell the tale. Administrators have long been obfuscating individual salaries for very good reasons. The taxpayers would be up in arms if they knew what police, firefighters, teachers earn. If taxpayers knew the golden pensions these people received, they would be amazed -- and not amused AT all.
 
No, my dear, if you can't see the similarity, that's your problem.

There is nothing that should be more transparent than how tax dollars are spent. In Illinois, as an example, and I think in most states, there are online data bases to search individual teacher salaries. And their outrageous pensions. That's as it should be. They're using MY money, why would I not have a right to know how much they're making?

But let me get back to the post of mine you quoted. It's okay to leak state secrets...to identify informants and target them for assassination among other things--and, in fact, you say it's a great idea. But letting taxpayers know how their tax dollars are being spent as regards to individual salaries, is an invasion of privacy?



Huh????

Sorry Sweetie, you ain't my style. I stand by my comments, yours are ridiculous. Of course we should know how are dollars are spent, but by department or organization, not by individuals except for elected officials.

As for the Huh? Wages should be posted internally in a company, not publicly outside the company.
 
Entire budgets don't tell the tale. Administrators have long been obfuscating individual salaries for very good reasons. The taxpayers would be up in arms if they knew what police, firefighters, teachers earn. If taxpayers knew the golden pensions these people received, they would be amazed -- and not amused AT all.

I know what they make and I think they're way under paid for having to put up with assholes like you and like me.
 
Sorry Sweetie, you ain't my style. I stand by my comments, yours are ridiculous. Of course we should know how are dollars are spent, but by department or organization, not by individuals except for elected officials.

As for the Huh? Wages should be posted internally in a company, not publicly outside the company.

Wages should be posted internally for every employee...but if anyone leaks the information to the general public then that's an invasion of privacy.....you really need to rethink your stance. It makes no sense. Also, why the exception for elected officials? What's your reasoning?
 
Wages should be posted internally for every employee...but if anyone leaks the information to the general public then that's an invasion of privacy.....you really need to rethink your stance. It makes no sense. Also, why the exception for elected officials? What's your reasoning?

Elected officials are directly beholden to the taxpayer, others are indirectly.
 
I know what they make and I think they're way under paid for having to put up with assholes like you and like me.

Just because you call yourself an asshole, doesn't mean you can call me one, Summerwind. You think they're way underpaid because you don't know what they're making. If you do, link me to your state's LEO salaries--the state database. Let's both have a look. Your attitude that LEOs etc., are somehow sacred cows is drowning our states (you and me as taxpayers) in debt.
 
Just because you call yourself an asshole, doesn't mean you can call me one, Summerwind. You think they're way underpaid because you don't know what they're making. If you do, link me to your state's LEO salaries--the state database. Let's both have a look. Your attitude that LEOs etc., are somehow sacred cows is drowning our states (you and me as taxpayers) in debt.

I don't share on-line my location, ever. You may continue with your opinion that our safety and our children are not worth what you pay in taxes. I will continue to be willing to pay more taxes if it goes to the safety and education of my community.
 
Just because you call yourself an asshole, doesn't mean you can call me one, Summerwind. You think they're way underpaid because you don't know what they're making. If you do, link me to your state's LEO salaries--the state database. Let's both have a look. Your attitude that LEOs etc., are somehow sacred cows is drowning our states (you and me as taxpayers) in debt.

come on maggie, be real. I don't know about your state, but in my state teachers and cops are waaaay underpaid compared to others with similar education and training.

I quit teaching in 2004, for many reasons. one of them was the pay. I was teaching in the 2nd highest paid school district in the state, so I was making above the average for a teacher in Alabama. I have a masters degree and had 10 years experience and I was making $40K per year.

I found a job with a govt contractor that paid $19K more per year.

The sheriff's deputies in my county make in the upper 20s, lower 30s depending on experience. My son makes more than that repairing HVAC systems.

An Alabama State Trooper starts at $35K, the Trooper pay scale tops out at $59K and that is after 22 years minimum.
 
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Moderator's Warning:
Just a reminder to everyone to remain passionate about their positions, yet civil. Thanks!
 
come on maggie, be real. I don't know about your state, but in my state teachers and cops are waaaay underpaid compared to others with similar education and training.

I quit teaching in 2004, for many reasons. one of them was the pay. I was teaching in the 2nd highest paid school district in the state, so I was making above the average for a teacher in Alabama. I have a masters degree and had 10 years experience and I was making $40K per year.

I found a job with a govt contractor that paid $19K more per year.

The sheriff's deputies in my county make in the upper 20s, lower 30s depending on experience. My son makes more than that repairing HVAC systems.

An Alabama State Trooper makes around $35K

Oscar, honest to God, I live in Illinois. And I'm being real for my state. I do understand that other states don't have the same salaries, but I also find it hard to believe that an Alabama State Trooper makes $35K a year. I wonder if you know that and can post that, or if you just think that. And absolutely no offense meant. We are intentionally kept in the dark about these salaries. And the very generous pension benefits. I swear ta' God, we are.

I just found this information on Alabama State Troopers right off the state's website:

Entry level paid $35,589/yearly with a high school education or GED.
Entry level paid $36,489/yearly with an associate's degree.
Entry level paid $38,000/yearly with a bachelor's.
After a one-year probation, troopers can move up one or two steps on merit...so after one year, a trooper would be making $40,000.
Appears the maximum, w/o overtime, is $59,500. But I wouldn't necessarily believe that 'cause I'm cynical. ;-)

http://www.dps.state.al.us/Information/pdf/Employment/TrooperPayScale.pdf

Oh, and this is 2008, BTW. Also to note, this pay scale is for a regular old trooper. Advancement with wage increases possible to Corporal, Sargeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major. Wonder what they make?

This also includes a take-home car for personal use, 'daily subsistance pay' (which I don't understand), 13 days paid vacation starting up to 29 days depending on service, 13 sick days, paid health insurance, available overtime, and, according to them, "a generous retirement program" that kicks in at age 52 w/10 years' service or at any age with 25 years' service. http://www.dps.state.al.us/Information/pdf/Employment/RecruitTrainingBroc.pdf

I'm not judging this...I'm just putting it out there.

I wish I could find the link because you will not believe me, but the fire chief in my town retired from a neighboring town's fire department (population 44,500) and took a job in my town (population 13,800). His pension from his old job (25 years) is in excess of $100K/year. His salary in my town is over $100K a year. I won't be taking up a collection for him any time soon. The private sector has nothing that compares.

As to teachers, I've been through this on the board before, and I realize that Illinois is reeeedickalus when it comes to teacher salaries and pensions. My fiance's ex is in Administration at an upscale public high school in suburban Chicago. In 2008, (it's public record...and I'm going by memory here) she made about $165,000. Another teacher I know teaches (for 3 years) in the Chicago Public School District. She is making $57,000. Combine those salaries with the most generous pension plans on planet earth, and, well, let's just say I wish I'da been a teacher. ;-) So I fully admit that I come to the table with jaded thoughts about teachers needing to make more money.
 
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I just noticed that my arresting officer is paid $123,000 yearly.
How the **** did you figure that out?

I thought this was way too much, but I'm sure many would disagree.
Considering recent events here, I'd be happy paying cops 500k a year if the budget allowed.
 
I just noticed that my arresting officer is paid $123,000 yearly. I thought this was way too much, but I'm sure many would disagree.

He was able to pick up on the fact that you were under the influence pretty easily, it sounds like, so perhaps he has good skills.
 
The average teacher earns about $40,000, in my view they should earn about 3 times as much as police.

As for how much police should make... I don't know enough about their work ethic to comment. Somewhere around 70k sounds reasonable, increasing as you advance up for force.
 
The average teacher earns about $40,000, in my view they should earn about 3 times as much as police.

Why? I have no problems with teachers earning on par with cops, but I work in the field, and cops do difficult work.

I don't see you signing up to run down dark alleys after guys with guns, amirite?
 
The average teacher earns about $40,000, in my view they should earn about 3 times as much as police.

As for how much police should make... I don't know enough about their work ethic to comment. Somewhere around 70k sounds reasonable, increasing as you advance up for force.

i really disagree. a teaching degree is fairly easy to get, and cops put their lives on the line. teachers work 9 months a year.
 
Why? I have no problems with teachers earning on par with cops, but I work in the field, and cops do difficult work.

I don't see you signing up to run down dark alleys after guys with guns, amirite?

I'd say that teaching in an American classroom today posses about as much of a threat as running down a dark alley after a guy with guns.
 
Why? I have no problems with teachers earning on par with cops, but I work in the field, and cops do difficult work.

I don't see you signing up to run down dark alleys after guys with guns, amirite?

Of course not, I'm not saying we should pay cops badly, but rather that we should pay teachers very, very well.

liblady said:
i really disagree. a teaching degree is fairly easy to get, and cops put their lives on the line. teachers work 9 months a year.

I would support this in combination with a huge increase in standards. My x3 figure was somewhat exaggerated :p At least 100k.

Our kids are the future. Money doesn't fix anything, but when combined with large increases in teaching standards I believe it would be highly beneficial to the nation at large.

If you want to discuss the details, I'd be happy to, but here isn't the place.

Very funny Hatuey :p I'd be laughing if I didn't somewhat agree
 
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