| AMERICAN POLICE BEAT March 1997 Volume IV, Number 2 The pay checks are high and so is morale by Richard B. Weinblatt (pp. 1, 10) |
Members of the Suffolk County Police Department have long been the envy of law
enforcement officers around the country.
Although there are departments that are reportedly higher paid, the substantial pay
checks bought home by officers in Suffolk and nearby Nassau County Police Departments
have received the most attention.
Although the grass may seem greener in a department where patrol officers can top out at
$59,541 a year and the union was successful in gaining a raise of 18.6 percent over the
next four years, there's more to the story than just the bottom line.
"Sure other officers are envious of our pay here," explains Recruitment Sergeant Ken
Williams. "But there's reasons for it."
Williams notes that homes in Suffolk County, an affluent suburb only 20 miles east of New
York City, are among the highest priced in the nation. "We have one of the highest costs
of living," Williams says. "and we also have an affluent community that has the ability and
the desire to pay the taxes to support its police."
While Suffolks cops may earn more than most of their colleagues around the country, they
also have some extraordinary demands placed on them. "When a Suffolk County officer
graduates from the police academy, they are a fully qualified EMT as well," explains
Williams. "In most departments, EMTs are a completely seperate position."
And Suffolk County cops are busy. In 1995, officers handled 685,840 calls for service and
there were 1,042,895 calls to the 911 system. Most Suffolk officers work one-man cars.
Only 8 percent of the units are manned by two officers.
Comprised of 2,757 full-time personnel spread out among seven precincts (seven more
are in the works), Suffolk cops police a 926 square mile, 1.4 million population county.
The last written test given on June 8th, had 34,330 attendees who each forked over a $50
application fee.
"Over 1,00 of those test takers got 100 percent," Williams adds. "and we expect to hire
around 400 during the life of the list."
Following the written exam, aspiring Suffolk County fuzz take the gender and age specific
physical assessment test based on Cooper Institute Standards. A psychological, medical,
and background investigation including a polygraph follows.
Sgt. Williams notes that although the last academy class had 10 cadets with former law
enforcement experience, the famed drain of New York City officers over to Suffolk County
is largely a myth. "At the very most former New York City cops never make up more than
ten percent of our academy classes," Williams said.
The Suffolk County academy runs 26 weeks and all must attend the day operation
regardless of previous training. The subsequent field training runs for 12 weeks with
probation starting the first day of the academy and lasting 18 months.
The "two tour" system has the officers working 232 days a year (the average worker in the
U.S. plies his or her trade 260 days per annum).
The steady ten hour midnight shift (10:00 pm to 8:00 am) is the first assignment with four
days on and four days off.
With seniority, the other option becomes readily available with five days on and four days
off rotating the 4:00 pm to midnights and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm shifts once a week.
The agency usually pays around half of the officers' tuition (with a "C" average or better).
Although only a high school diploma is required for applicants, 48 percent of the Suffolk
County have college degrees. In addition, there are 78 officers with Master's degrees and
at least ten sworn officers who are attorneys.
The academy wage is $34,617 a year and is upped to $36,617.
The one year anniversary mark sees $41,445 and steady increases each year for the next
four years finds an officer topping out at $59,541. Add onto those figures a midnight shift
differential of $6,254 and the swing/day shift differential of $2,977. All of the numbers
have just been renegotiated with the officers' union and will climb 18.6 percent over the
next four years.
Those serving in units such as the dive team, emergency services and aviation (they have
four helicopters) get an additional hazardous duty pay of around $3,000 per annum.
The sergeant's base pay comes in at $74,105. Sergeant (available after a minimum of
three years), lieutenant and captain's positions are civil service tested posts.
Higher ranks are appointed by the police commissioner.
Most officers serve in patrol for five years before becoming eligible for promotion unless
they have special prior experience or training.
Richard B. Weinblatt is a Patrol Division Deputy II. with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's
Department in New Mexico and holds a Masters degree in Public Administration.
enforcement officers around the country.
Although there are departments that are reportedly higher paid, the substantial pay
checks bought home by officers in Suffolk and nearby Nassau County Police Departments
have received the most attention.
Although the grass may seem greener in a department where patrol officers can top out at
$59,541 a year and the union was successful in gaining a raise of 18.6 percent over the
next four years, there's more to the story than just the bottom line.
"Sure other officers are envious of our pay here," explains Recruitment Sergeant Ken
Williams. "But there's reasons for it."
Williams notes that homes in Suffolk County, an affluent suburb only 20 miles east of New
York City, are among the highest priced in the nation. "We have one of the highest costs
of living," Williams says. "and we also have an affluent community that has the ability and
the desire to pay the taxes to support its police."
While Suffolks cops may earn more than most of their colleagues around the country, they
also have some extraordinary demands placed on them. "When a Suffolk County officer
graduates from the police academy, they are a fully qualified EMT as well," explains
Williams. "In most departments, EMTs are a completely seperate position."
And Suffolk County cops are busy. In 1995, officers handled 685,840 calls for service and
there were 1,042,895 calls to the 911 system. Most Suffolk officers work one-man cars.
Only 8 percent of the units are manned by two officers.
Comprised of 2,757 full-time personnel spread out among seven precincts (seven more
are in the works), Suffolk cops police a 926 square mile, 1.4 million population county.
The last written test given on June 8th, had 34,330 attendees who each forked over a $50
application fee.
"Over 1,00 of those test takers got 100 percent," Williams adds. "and we expect to hire
around 400 during the life of the list."
Following the written exam, aspiring Suffolk County fuzz take the gender and age specific
physical assessment test based on Cooper Institute Standards. A psychological, medical,
and background investigation including a polygraph follows.
Sgt. Williams notes that although the last academy class had 10 cadets with former law
enforcement experience, the famed drain of New York City officers over to Suffolk County
is largely a myth. "At the very most former New York City cops never make up more than
ten percent of our academy classes," Williams said.
The Suffolk County academy runs 26 weeks and all must attend the day operation
regardless of previous training. The subsequent field training runs for 12 weeks with
probation starting the first day of the academy and lasting 18 months.
The "two tour" system has the officers working 232 days a year (the average worker in the
U.S. plies his or her trade 260 days per annum).
The steady ten hour midnight shift (10:00 pm to 8:00 am) is the first assignment with four
days on and four days off.
With seniority, the other option becomes readily available with five days on and four days
off rotating the 4:00 pm to midnights and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm shifts once a week.
The agency usually pays around half of the officers' tuition (with a "C" average or better).
Although only a high school diploma is required for applicants, 48 percent of the Suffolk
County have college degrees. In addition, there are 78 officers with Master's degrees and
at least ten sworn officers who are attorneys.
The academy wage is $34,617 a year and is upped to $36,617.
The one year anniversary mark sees $41,445 and steady increases each year for the next
four years finds an officer topping out at $59,541. Add onto those figures a midnight shift
differential of $6,254 and the swing/day shift differential of $2,977. All of the numbers
have just been renegotiated with the officers' union and will climb 18.6 percent over the
next four years.
Those serving in units such as the dive team, emergency services and aviation (they have
four helicopters) get an additional hazardous duty pay of around $3,000 per annum.
The sergeant's base pay comes in at $74,105. Sergeant (available after a minimum of
three years), lieutenant and captain's positions are civil service tested posts.
Higher ranks are appointed by the police commissioner.
Most officers serve in patrol for five years before becoming eligible for promotion unless
they have special prior experience or training.
Richard B. Weinblatt is a Patrol Division Deputy II. with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's
Department in New Mexico and holds a Masters degree in Public Administration.
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Located just North of Orlando,
Florida, Richard B. Weinblatt
provides professional article
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commentary for the media on a
variety of criminal justice topics
Florida, Richard B. Weinblatt
provides professional article
writing services and expert
commentary for the media on a
variety of criminal justice topics
| FAST FACT "Reserve Reports" by Richard B. Weinblatt, a regular column in LAW AND ORDER: THE MAGAZINE FOR POLICE MANAGEMENT, ran for a decade (1991-2001). |
| FAST FACT Richard Weinblatt's March-April 1997 SHERIFF MAGAZINE article "Sheriffs Take on Rural Patrol Challenge" featured him on the cover. |
| FAST FACT The 250+ page book "Reserve Law Enforcement in the United States" by Richard B. Weinblatt, was published in 1993 |
This website contains criminal justice articles written by former Police Chief and Criminal Justice Professor/Police Academy Manager Richard B. Weinblatt |