What State Can Beat Being A Beat Cop In Florida?

ACROSS FLORIDA -- As the nation celebrates its active law enforcement officers and remembers those who sacrificed their lives protecting their communities, those considering a career as a cop in Florida might like to know that Florida is among the top 25 best states in which to be a police officer, sheriff's deputy or state trooper. Florida ranked No. 22, behind Texas.

It’s a profession that more than 900,000 Americans have chosen, knowing full well the hazards associated with the occupation. In the past 10 years, more than 1,500 police officers, including 158 in 2018 alone, died in the line of duty. Tens of thousands more were assaulted and injured.

Because of such risks, law-enforcement agencies must offer enough incentives to attract and retain officers. So what qualities define a good place to live and work for police? Wallet Hub took a look at the career and ranked states based on a number of factors.

To start, there’s a $63,380 mean annual wage that exceeds the $51,960 for all occupations. On top of that, there’s typically a generous benefits package that can include retirement-contribution matches, tuition assistance, ample leave time, a take-home vehicle, and access to health and fitness facilities. Officers also may begin drawing full retirement benefits as early as age 40, depending on when they entered the force.

Beyond financial perks, officers are more likely to be attracted to police departments that steer clear of scandal and corruption and that are transparent with their communities. Public opinion on police remains divided, with younger people and minorities rating them much less positively than older Caucasians. Naturally, police departments that have better relations with the areas they patrol are more attractive to new officers.

To determine the best states in which to pursue a law enforcement career, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 27 key indicators of police friendliness. The data set ranges from median income for law enforcement officers to police deaths per 1,000 officers to state and local police protection expenses per capita. Click here for the findings, commentary from a panel of researchers and a full description of Wallet Hub's methodology.