March 1997 Volume IV, Number 2
The pay checks are high and so is morale
by Richard B. Weinblatt
(pp. 1, 10)
Although there are departments that are reportedly higher paid, the substantial pay checks bought home by officers in Suffolk and neaby 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 Seergeant 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 rpiced in the nation. "We have one of the highest costs of living," Williams syas. "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 offiers' 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 renogotiated with the officers' union and will climb 18.6 percent over the next four years.
Those serving in untis 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 teh police commissioner.
Most officers serve in patrol for five years before becoming elegible 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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