Wages and Benefits
Entry Wage $79k + $5k Bonus
Lateral Range $92k - $113k
Lateral Officer starting wages will be determined at the time of hire by considering the following criteria:
Experience as a current certified law enforcement officer
Size of jurisdiction of prior service
Level of education
Type & number of certifications
Current rate of pay
Additional Incentive and Premium Pays
10% On Call Pay
$1.00 an Hour for Bilingual Pay
1% - 5% Yearly Cost of Living Increase
$390 Yearly Plain Clothes Assignment Pay
2% Crisis Intervention Training Certification Pay
10% Field Training Officer/Detective/Sergeant Incentive Pay
6% Hazard Pay (RRT, SERT, K9, NOC, EDU and Motorcycle)
3% or 5% Sergeant Incentive Pay (3% Investigative or 5% Patrol)
2% or 4% DPSST Intermediate or Advanced Police Certification Pay
3% or 5% Educational Pay (Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree/JD/PHD)
3% - 7% Longevity Pay (3% at 16 Years, 5% at 21 Years and 7% at 26 Years)
2% or 4% Shift Differential Pay (2% for Afternoon Shift or 4% for Night Shift)
4.5 Years of Service Needed to Participate in Our Three Track Promotional Process (Criminalist, Detective and/or Sergeant)
All Overtime Paid at Time and a Half (Court, Patrol, Special Duty, Late Call, Operational Mission, Case Follow-Up, Call Back, Phone Call Log, etc.)
(In 2023, the average top step officer made $188k, criminalists averaged $166k, detectives made an average of $195k and those in the sergeant rank averaged $193k)
Wellness Benefits
1. Paid time (1 hour) to participate in wellness activities each shift
2. On-site fitness center locations and classes
3. Discounts to local fitness clubs
4. Chronic care coaching programs
5. Worksite wellness screenings
6. Tuition Reimbursement Program
Annual Paid Leave
10 Annual Holidays
4 Personal Days
104 hours Sick Leave
112.06 - 216.06 hours Vacation Leave (accrues 4.31 - 8.31 per pay period)
City Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks) for newborn, newly adopted child and/or foster child
Dependent Care Leave (a maximum of 104 hours per calendar year)
In addition:
A new Lateral Police Officer may be credited for prior professional law enforcement service by placement at the appropriate step of the vacation accrual table.
Health Insurance
Permanent full-time officers are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage the first of the month following thirty days of eligible service. Ninety-five percent of the costs of medical, dental, and vision coverage are paid by the City.
Read more about Health Insurance at the Bureau of Human Resources website.
Life Insurance
Basic Life: $50,000 (City pays entire cost)
Supplemental Life: Up to $500,000 can be purchased by member
Supplemental Life (Spouse or Domestic Partner): Up to $300,000 can be purchased by member
Supplemental Life (Children): Up to $25,000 can be purchased by member.
Read more about Life Insurance at the Bureau of Human Resources website.
Retirement Plan Options
The Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) Pension Program is funded by public employers in Oregon and provides a lifetime pension. It is designed to provide approximately 45% of your final average salary at retirement (for a police member with a 25-year career).
The Individual Account Program (IAP) is a second part of the retirement plan. The City pays 9% of a member's salary into the member's IAP account. The account is credited with earnings (or losses) annually based on investment returns. The IAP is estimated to pay approximately 15-20% of the member's final average salary (for a 30-year career) based on an 8% investment return each year.
Note: Officers do not pay into Social Security (approximately 7% of wages).
Read more about Retirement Plan Options at the Bureau of Human Resources website.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The City of Portland’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary plan to help individual members save for retirement on a pre-and post-tax basis. Plans are administered by Voya Financial or Advantis Credit Union. Investment returns are not guaranteed.
Read more about Deferred Compensation Plans at the Bureau of Human Resources website.
Additional Benefits
In addition to career development opportunities, competitive salary, health care benefits, life insurance, incentive pay programs, and retirement plans, there are additional personal benefits to becoming a police officer in Portland, Oregon: