Two thirds of SPVM cops make more than $100K
Two thirds of SPVM police will make more than $100,000 in 2022 – and yes, I know that article is truncated, but I can’t find an alternate version. Also note that this was before their recent big raise.
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Kate
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Spi 09:09 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
I suspect if you break out the the ludicrous amount of overtime that they gladly signup for the percentage isn’t nearly as high.
Kate 10:31 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
Doesn’t matter if they’re making it from overtime, they’re still making it, and the system lets them do it.
mare 10:49 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
Being a cop is a very dangerous job, almost as dangerous as that of a taxi driver or garbage collector (*US figures, Quebec cops might encounter slightly less risk from firearms). Paying them well might also lower their temptation for corruption.
They also can only retire after 25 years of duty and their pension is based on their salary, not their overtime pay. So many have to take another job after retirement to be able to pay the mortgage of their house and cottage, the loans for their cars, and holiday travel budget. It’s not all that rosy being a cop, there’s a reason the force has a hard time to fill the extra positions that were created in past years. Especially recruiting minorities is hard, because they can make much more money in other sectors, like warehousing, roofing and construction.
Blork 12:17 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
$100,000 used to be a very high income, but not anymore. Now it’s just on the high side of “pretty good.” Depending on the source you check, at least 11% of Canadians have an income in excess of $100k. I know a nurse who was making more than $100k from doing lots of overtime, and that was more than a decade ago.
It’s a dangerous job (as mare points out) and if they’re putting in the (over)time for it, why is this a problem?
Bearing in mind that if a 40-year-old cop wants to make an income comparable to a desk-bound 26-year-old software developer, you either pay them well or they will turn to outsourcing (private copping on the side) or corruption.
thomas 13:38 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
The police profession isn’t as dangerous as many might think. It doesn’t even make the top 10 in terms of hazardous jobs, standing alongside professions like electricians and automotive mechanics. What elevates their compensation is not just the salary itself but the exceptional job security and a generous pension plan. For instance, the average police officer in Montreal retires at the age of 53 with a pension of roughly $60k, fully indexed to inflation.
Ephraim 15:53 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
You know what would make policing less hazardous? Bodycams. They have been shown to de-esculate a lot of situations
Joey 16:19 on 2023-08-09 Permalink
Can’t hire enough cops but we also have to use cops to manually control traffic lights on construction sites. So, priorities.
Josh 11:29 on 2023-08-10 Permalink
I can’t tell whether there’s some sarcasm in mare’s comment – the bit about mortgages on their house *and* cottage, multiple cars and holiday travel budget seems in contrast to much of the rest of it!