WASHINGTON – WalletHub released its on the “Best and Worst Cities to be a Police Officer,” listing California as the #1 finalist for the second year in a row.
To assess where law enforcement careers are most attractive, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 30 key metrics of police-friendliness. Factors included median law enforcement income, police fatalities per 1,000 officers, job hazards and police-protection spending per capita.
The scoring system placed the heaviest weight on the metrics of officer salaries and mandatory training hours.
The Top 10
1. California
2. Connecticut
3. Illinois
4. D.C.
5. Maryland
6. Colorado
7. Minnesota
8. Tennessee
9. Washington
10. Ohio
The bottom 10
42. Vermont
43. Montana
44. Oregon
45. West Virginia
46. Alabama
47. Louisiana
48. Arkansas
49. Nevada
50. Hawaii
51. Alaska
A closer look at the top three
1. California
California ranks as the best state to be a police officer because of its robust investment in public safety and high pay, Wallethub states. The Golden State boasts:
- An average starting salary of over $5,600 per month, fifth-highest nationally.
- A median annual wage for officers of nearly $85,600 (adjusted for cost of living), the third-highest in the country.
- 664 hours of basic training followed by 560 hours of field training, among the most in the U.S.
- A requirement for de-escalation training, reducing risks during confrontations.
- A statewide Blue Alert system, aiding in the rapid apprehension of suspects who harm law enforcement officers.
California police unions disputed the state’s #1 ranking in 2024, stating that the survey ignored record-low staffing levels in major cities, slow emergency response times and mandatory overtime, along with other issues that affected officers’ daily work.
2. Connecticut
Connecticut places second, known for its emphasis on extensive training and officer safety:
- Requires the most basic training hours nationwide at 1,321 hours, plus 400 hours of field training.
- Officers cannot work until training is fully completed.
- Ranked fourth-lowest in officer assaults.
- Supported by one of the country’s lowest violent crime rates.
- Has both Blue Alerts and red flag laws in place.
3. Illinois
Illinois rounds out the top three with the highest median annual wage for patrol officers, at over $101,700 (adjusted):
- Offers strong salary growth potential (8th highest nationally).
- Requires continued professional education: 40 hours of annual training, second-most in the country.
- Focus areas include de-escalation, mental health awareness and non-lethal tactics.
- Requires officers to hold a bachelor’s degree
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