Why do police get paid so little?

[Oberon.Smite]

Hey guys. I was actually kind of considering becoming a police officer because I like the job and its roll in society. I was just curious as to see how much police get paid, and I found out they get paid 49k average. That's already very little, and that means when you start you're probably going to earn even less than that. Why is it that police persons, people who go out and risk their lives to help others, get paid so little? I know that isn't the whole point of wanting to be a cop, but still. I know the whole argument 'because you don't have to be smart or talented to be a police officer', but then why not up the standards? 

[Overkilled]

Do you wanna be a policemen or a cop?

Policeman

Cop

[DigitalHermit]

so that those in power can still use their goons for their dirty work...

[Guest Kloaked]

Same reason the military gets paid very little. We don't value the people who actually protect and serve, especially the ones who make the budgets in the higher ups while they play ping pong in their mansions, sipping on expensive ass wine.

 

Before someone makes the comment "Police don't protect you!" like they're some kind of sovereign citizen or something, shut up. No one cares.

[Clear17Mud]

1st they don't need a coledge degree, and also that's an average.

[reapersivan]

Become a stripper, make easy cash. I think they get paid little because well, who else pays for the expenses? Probably taxes

[Oberon.Smite]

1st they don't need a coledge degree, and also that's an average.

Basically what you're saying is college degree > risking your life every day.

[dragoon20005]

Being a policeman or solider means serving the country and people = civil servants

 

if you are taking about yearly pay of 49K, you might be looking at the lowest rank which is Police Constable

 

if you are higher ranking officer the pay will surely go north

 

but it also differs from country to country

[pagani123]

the reason why is because they work for the government no one that works for the lower branches of the government gets paid a lot but (at least this was the case with the military) you get good benefits 

[AlTech]

They get paid using Taxpayer dollars. Of course they'll be paid little. It's like asking why a janitor gets paid so little.

[dragoon20005]

My family is from the line of Police officers

 

My mum and dad are from the police force

[Speedyv]

Basically what you're saying is college degree > risking your life every day.

Just saying but the smartest people don't really become cops...

[StackUnderflow]

Hey guys. I was actually kind of considering becoming a police officer because I like the job and its roll in society. I was just curious as to see how much police get paid, and I found out they get paid 49k average. That's already very little, and that means when you start you're probably going to earn even less than that. Why is it that police persons, people who go out and risk their lives to help others, get paid so little? I know that isn't the whole point of wanting to be a cop, but still. I know the whole argument 'because you don't have to be smart or talented to be a police officer', but then why not up the standards? 

 

Regarding the smart/talented comment: postdocs (post doctoral scholars all the way to research associates, people with PhDs) get paid anywhere between 30-50K/year. These guys have 25 total years of education (from pre-K to PhD, so the "not smart", "not worked hard enough", or the "no college degree" arguments don't work). I find that generally, for the jobs people enjoy doing, those jobs generally pay much less.

[dragoon20005]

Just saying but the smartest people don't really become cops...

well it becoming a trend here in Singapore

 

those with good degree becomes Superintendent or higher

 

all talk & planning but little action

[Speedyv]

Why aren't teachers paid more?

That's just how it works.

[GDRRiley]

Why aren't teachers paid more?

That's just how it works.

because of people not valuing education and our future. 

[StackUnderflow]

Just saying but the smartest people don't really become cops...

 

The "smartest/educated" people don't necessarily get paid more. I'll paste what I said above:

 

 

Regarding the smart/talented comment: postdocs (post doctoral scholars all the way to research associates, people with PhDs) get paid anywhere between 30-50K/year. These guys have 25 total years of education (from pre-K to PhD, so the "not smart", "not worked hard enough", or the "no college degree" arguments don't work). I find that generally, for the jobs people enjoy doing, those jobs generally pay much less.

[NanoTech56]

because day shoot all da blacks duh

[Chasem121]

Because being a police officer really isn't that hard or dangerous, neither does it require much skill. Being cop isn't even in the top ten of most dangerous jobs and firefighters have a higher death rate than them

[Oberon.Smite]

Why aren't teachers paid more?

That's just how it works.

Again, not really an answer. Just telling me to accept shit doesn't contribute anything.

[Clear17Mud]

Basically what you're saying is college degree > risking your life every day.

I don't think pulling someone over is risking your life, unless its on the freeway, and obviously people with a degree have a higher potential to earn more money. If you go into criminal investigation you will end up earning more money as a police officer... So yes coledge degree>>>>>>>>high school diploma.... Yes obviously if you go to coledge for the type of job you want you'll earn more money....

[Guest Kloaked]

Basically what you're saying is college degree > risking your life every day.

 

No, that's basically what that amounts to. There are people with college degrees who go into the police force and make more than the average, and I happen to know someone who did just that. He's making 80k+ a year, but that's mainly because he's already been a cop before and the degree he has sweetens the pot.

 

Just saying but the smartest people don't really become cops...

 

Not true. You're implying that dumb people don't go into STEM fields, which is also untrue.

[LeapFrogMasterRace]

because of you

[Speedyv]

The "smartest/educated" people don't necessarily get paid more. I'll paste what I said above:

I don't know where you get your statistics but...

Generally speaking, a degree leads to higher pay.

https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=77

Don't have a college degree but graduated high school and want a career path? Law enforcement seems to be a good option.

[Speedyv]

Not true. You're implying that dumb people don't go into STEM fields, which is also untrue.

Not what I was implying at all. It's all about basic barriers of entry. Law enforcement doesn't have nearly as much prerequisites as some of the other career fields.