The San Antonio Police Department offers benefits that are competitive with other law enforcement agencies nationwide. Following graduation from the academy, starting salary is $50,664. The most recent graduating cadet class earned an average of more than $55,000 after completing their 14-week FTO training.
The list below gives annual base salaries at various ranks. The numbers do not reflect additional money earned through longevity, education pay, shift differential or other specialty pays.
| Cadet | $45,000 |
| Patrol Officer | $50,644-$69,024 |
| Detective | $70,944-$76,716 |
| Sergeant | $80,592-$83,820 |
| Lieutenant | $90,252-$93,900 |
| Captain | $103,560-$107,712 |
| Deputy Chief | $143,353 |
| Assistant Chief | $154,824 |
| Basic | $50 monthly |
| Intermediate | $160 monthly |
| Advanced | $200 monthly |
| Masters | $240 monthly |
| Field Training Officer | $265 monthly |
The SAPD offers many incentive pay opportunities to recognize officers for their individual skills.
| Instructor Pay | $20 monthly |
| Language Pay | $50 monthly |
| Drug Recognition Expert | $100 monthly |
| Standby Pay | $157 monthly |
| Helicopter Pay | $157 monthly |
| Peace Officer Certifications | Up to $240 monthly |
| Field Training Officer | $265 monthly |
| Shift Differential | $350 monthly |
| Clothing Allowance | $1940 annually |
In addition to skill-specific incentive pay, the SAPD also provides a number of added benefits to recognize the dedication officers provide to the city of San Antonio.
| Health Insurance | Health, Dental and Optical insurance for officer and family (premiums paid at 100 percent). Life insurance for officer |
| Accumulated Leave | Vacation, Holiday, Compensatory, Sick, Bonus and Fitness. Military leave is available for reserve component |
| Leave Conversion | The City will buy back / convert in pay or other forms of leave up to 15 unused sick leave days per year |
| Physical Fitness | Administrative leave up to five days annually for maintaining physical condition |
The SAPD is offering hiring bonuses!
The hiring bonus is paid in two installments. Cadets must complete 80 hours of training to be eligible for the first installment which will be paid within 30 days of the academy start date. The second installment of the hiring bonus will be paid prior to graduation of the academy.
* Applicants have to have 2 years experience with patrol capacity. Must be within 180 days of employment.
Insurance coverage is an important part of your benefits package. Insufficient coverage or poorly designed plans can significantly reduce your total benefits package. You’ll be happy to know that the City of San Antonio provides excellent insurance coverage for Medical, Dental/Vision and Life.
Officers have 2 excellent plans to choose from based off each officer’s personal need and preferences. The first is the Police Value Plan (PVP) that has a low monthly officer contribution and low co-pays. The second is the Police Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP), that has a $0 officer contribution with higher co-pays. With the CDHP the city provides a Health Savings Account(HAS) Contribution of $1,500 a year that the officer can use toward heath care related expenses.
Prescription benefits are provided for the officer and his family through the officer’s choice of insurance plan. Many at no or low co-pays for the member.
| Monthly Contributions | PVP | CDHP |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| EE & Spouse | $75.00 | $0.00 |
| EE & Children | $50.00 | $0.00 |
| EE & Family | 125.00 | $0.00 |
| CO-INSURANCE | In Network | Out of Network |
|---|---|---|
| PVP | 20% after deductible | 40% after deductible |
| CDHP | 0% after deductible met | 0% after deductible met |
| Individual Deductibles | In Network | Out of Network |
|---|---|---|
| PVP – Individual/Family | $500/$1000 | $1500/$3000 |
| CDHP – Individual/Family | $3000/$6000 | $4500/$9000 |
| Individual Out of Pocket Maximum | In Network | Out of Network |
|---|---|---|
| PVP – Individual/Family | $1500/$3000 | $3000/$6000 |
| CDHP – Individual/Family | $3000/$6000 | $4500/$9000 |
*Dental and vision benefits are provided to police officers and their families at no cost to the officer.
*All officers are covered with a life insurance policy equivalent to one year’s salary at no cost to the officer.
The Fire and Police Pension Fund of San Antonio is a defined benefit public pension fund that guarantees retirement security for approximately 6,000 police officers, firefighters and their families — even during periods of economic volatility. At a time when many Americans are concerned about running out of money in retirement, members of the SA Fund remain confident about their futures because, unlike some pension funds across the country, the SA Fund is well-managed and fiscally sound by all industry standards due to its high funding ratio, high mandatory member contribution rate and conservative investment strategies.
The SA Fund‘s defined benefit structure provides benefits based upon the member’s earning history and length of service to the City of San Antonio.
Keep in mind pension benefits are available regardless of age. A 21 year old can retire at 51 with 30 years of service and receive an 86 percent pension for the rest of his or her life. Visit safireandpolicepension for more info.
| YEARS OF SERVICE | Percentage of Total Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 20 | 45% |
| 23 | 60% |
| 25 | 70% |
| 27 | 80% |
| 30 | 88% |
Why
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