Police - Patrol Officers
Note: The statistics provided in this article only pertains to "patrol officers." It does not include data for administrative positions in the overall occupational field. Those figures would be completely seperate from what is provided here.
Statistical Reference
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm
These statistics are for May 2009 and are a national comparison to the state of Ohio statistically.
National & Ohio Estimates for Police-Patrolmen - Comparison
The employment numbers for this occupation nationally were 641,590 employees, and the mean hourly wage was $26.53, and the mean annual salary was $55,180.
The employment numbers for this occupation in the state of Ohio were 24,380 employees, and the mean hourly wage was $25.11, and the mean annual salary was $52,240.
The Difference
Ohio patrolmen made a $1.42 (5.35%) less on the hour, and made $2,940 (5.33%) less on the annual salary than the national averages.
The employment numbers for this occupation in the city of Portsmouth were 26 patrolmen.
Portsmouth Police-Patrolmen made $18.89 mean hourly wage, and $39,292 mean annual salary.
Portsmouth patrolmen made a $7.64 (24.77%) less on the hour, and made $12,948 (24.79%) less on the annual salary than other Ohio patrolmen.
Note: Employment numbers for this department were reported as follows for the years; 2008 and 2009. 2008 - 46 employees, 2009 - 46 employees. Proposed for 2010 - 49 employees. In 2008 & 2009 the department was overstaffed by 2 employees. In 2010, it would have been 5 employees.
These figures do not include things like; Acting Pay, Shift Differential Pay, Longevity Pay, Overtime, Court Time, In-Service Training Pay, Vacation-Holiday Buy Back/Comp Time, Holiday Pay, Hospitalization Waiver/Payments and Special Duty Pay.
National & Ohio Percentile Estimates for Police-Patrolmen - Comparison
The percentile estimates will be for the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile ranges in hourly and annual wages.
National
Hourly wages: 10th: $15.09, 25th: $19.45, 50th: $25.58, 75th: $32.69, 90th: $40.17.
Annual wages: 10th: $31,400, 25th: $40,450, 50th: $53,210, 75th: $67,990, 90th: $83,550.
Ohio
Hourly wages: 10th: $14.03, 25th: $20.11, 50th: $26.04, 75th: $31.12, 90th: $34.72.
Annual wages: 10rh: $29,180, 25th: $41,830, 50th: $54,170, 75th: $64,720, 90th: $72,220
When looking and comparing the National percentile estimates to the Ohio percentile estimates notice the differences at the 25th and 50th percentile estimates. Ohio's estimates are actually higher than the National estimates in these two percentiles. Why? Opinions differ as to why, but most believe that it is because 90% of all patrolmen fit into one of these two percentile ranges. Once, above this stage many become administrative or investigative officers. So, in a strictly numbers comparison; Ohio's patrolman are paid higher than the National percentile estimates, in the 25th and 50th range. Where most patrolmen in the state are at in their payscales. I am very certain that this is most likely arranged this way by unions and the collective bargaining unit.
You can set the 75th and 90th percentile at what ever dollar amount you want; truth is, only a small portion of the actual employees of the department will make those amounts at any given time. But, the majority of the employees will fall between the 25th and 50th percentiles. So, unions arrange for the larger increases to be focused on where the greatest number of employees are in the department.
Now, where does the city of Portsmouth's Police Department fit into these percentile estimates. That data is not available! But, according to the Ohio percentile estimates; I think it would be a safe assumption to believe; that the city of Portsmouth, Ohio is parallel in it's data as well.
The percentile estimates for Ohio can be found here: http://data.bls.gov/oes/datatype.do
But, wait a minute. There was data collected that is specific to our region. In fact. The area name mentioned is called; "Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Area."
This data can be found here: http://data.bls.gov/oes/datatype.do
This Occupational Employment Statistic data was performed in the same year and month of the above metioned data. The U.S. Department of Labor breaks the data down to even local regions to be considered.
The employment numbers for this occupation in a Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Area were 1,010 employees, and the mean hourly wage was $18.36, and the mean annual salary was $38,180.
For the city of Portsmouth, the mean hourly wage is $18.89, and the mean annual salary was $39,291.
Portsmouth patrolmen made $.53 (2.88%) more on the hour, and $1,111 (2.90%) more on the annual salary than other patrolmen in the Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Areas.
Ohio & Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Areas Percentile Estimates for Police-Patrolmen - Comparisons
The same percentile ranges apply with this data has in the ones mentioned above.
Ohio
Hourly wages: 10th: $14.03, 25th: $20.11, 50th: $26.04, 75th: $31.12, 90th: $34.72
Annual wages: 10th: $29,180, 25th: $41,830, 50th: $54,170 75th: $64,720, 90th: $72,220
Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Areas
Hourly wages: 10th: $10.36, 25th: $12.78, 50th: $17.20, 75th: $23.35, 90th: $28.68
Annual wages: 10th: $21,550, 25th: $26,580, 50th: $35,770, 75th: $48,560, 90th: $59,650
The average mean hourly wage for a Portsmouth-Patrolman is $18.89, and the average mean annual salary is $39,291. This would put most patrolman somewhere between the 50th and 75th percentile in mean hourly wage. They are paid above the hourly average mean wage than, other patrolmen in the Southern Ohio Non-Metro Areas. Portsmouth patrolmen also enjoy above average mean annual salaries as well. Somewhere, between the 50th and 75th percentiles.
Portsmouth patrolmen make $1.69 (9.82%) more on the mean hourly wage at the 50th percentile than than the Southern Ohio Non-Metro Area patrolmen. On the mean annual wage; Portsmouth patrolman make $3,521 (9.84%) more at the 50th percentile, than the Southern Ohio Non-Metro Area patrolmen. An extra $91,395.20 more per year than the southern Ohio Non-Metro Areas would for 26 patrolmen.
This is just with the wages that are received on the checks each payday! If 10 of the 26 patrolmen were at the 25th percentile scale; that would be an additional $127,110 savings. For a total of $224,505 savings. Almost a quarter of a million dollars off the budget deficit right there! And, basically all your doing is putting a stop to overpaying the patrolmen in their wages; and bringing it more in-line with what the rest of the Southern Ohio Non-Metropolitan Area patrolmen are making. Pensions and benefits are a whole other areas that also, needs severe reform measures taken!
Again, these figures do not include things like; Acting Pay, Shift Differential Pay, Longevity Pay, Overtime, Court Time, In-Service Training Pay, Vacation-Holiday Buy Back/Comp Time, Holiday Pay, Hospitalization Waiver/Payments and Special Duty Pay. These are also, areas that I'm sure have been exploited by the unions and the employees too!
The data above is just on the 26 patrolmen on the Portsmouth Police Dept.. The Chief, Captains, Lieutenats, Sergeants, Administrative Assistant, Records Clerks, and Code Enforcement Officers could all be subject to the same data compasrisons in their Occupations as well! And, I would be very sure that some sort of reform could be done to their occupations too - wages, benefits, pensions etc. My bet, they are being over compensated as well.
Conclusion
Here is a thought on pay scale and percentile wages. What if police officers who are not doing any actual patrols; are only paid at the 50th percentile of their occupational field. For example. We will use patrolmen statistics because they are what is being used in this article.
If a patrolmen; for whatever reason cannot actually go out on patrol like the rest of the patrolmen; he is payed at the 25th percentile for hours worked. Whether it be for medical reasons, court, sick leave pay - whatever! If he is not patrolling the pay is reduced. If doctors say he needs to be assigned to a desk for overweight issues or diabetes, heart conditions then, he receives less pay. Even better, so that discrimination issues are not brought up because of physical disabilities - re-classify the patrolman to another ocupational field and pay them then at the 50th percentile of that particular job classification.
This type of pay scale and classification pay scales would be easy to implement at any level within city government. Call it hazard pay or whatever you would choose. End results; taxpayers are not forced to pay overpriced wages, balanced budgets, state auditor not in your caboose and everyone still makes a great living! Unions might get a littled pissed but, who cares! Often, unions claim that they help to keep people off of the system - like welfare and public assistance! I believe union know better than anyone on how to - use public assistance!
What do we have proof of in all of this? We know that the Portsmouth Police Dept. was over-staffed in 2008 and 2009. We know this because of the 2010 Projected Budget Proposals from former mayor, Jane Murray. In 2008 & 2009 the department had 46 employees and in 2010; it was proposed that there was going to be 49 employees. These are in direct violation of our city's charter. We are only supposed to have a total of 44 employees in the Police Dept.; that includes the chief and 43 other officers - this includes even the dispatchers and assistants!
We also know that our patrolmen are being extremely over paid for their occupation in southern ohio. If proper reform would be implemented and adhered to; the budget deficit could be reduced by about $224,000 alone just on the patrolmen's wages. Not counting making cuts in benefits and pensions.
Our councilmen asked all the department heads what percentage of their budgets are employee wages and benefits. There answers were all pretty much the same; 90% of their budgets. The Police Depart. stated it was more like 93% of their budget.
Folks this means that every tax-dollar that you give the city of Portsmouth, Ohio; $.90 cents of that dollar goes to employee wages and benefits. Only, 10% covers everything else; including services that we are suppost to be getiing. Councilman Albrecht said; We will have to cut services to the people of Portsmouth! So, he recommends that they cut our services back even more than they already are. The Portsmouth Police Dept. uses about 7% of their budget to actually fight the crime in our area! Wow! No wonder we have such a bad drug problem in our city.
Folks, Vote "NO" or "AGAINST" The Proposed City Income Tax Increase!
Take back the city!
This Time It's Personal!
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