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Connecticut
59.91
California
57.97
Illinois
56.95
District of Columbia
56.66
Maryland
56.34
Massachusetts
55.46
Minnesota
52.96
Washington
52.88
Colorado
52.65
Ohio
51.93
Maine
50.99
Georgia
48.44
New York
46.72
Tennessee
46.64
Delaware
46.57
South Dakota
45.53
New Hampshire
44.76
Texas
44.37
New Jersey
44.21
Pennsylvania
43.75
Iowa
43.58
Indiana
43.35
Virginia
42.98
Rhode Island
42.93
Vermont
42.86
Michigan
42.73
Oklahoma
41.53
Utah
41.24
North Carolina
40.61
New Mexico
39.85
Nebraska
39.62
Wisconsin
39.52
Idaho
39.33
Arizona
39.08
Missouri
38.7
Florida
38.41
North Dakota
37.51
Kansas
37.46
Oregon
36.99
Wyoming
36.76
Alabama
34.57
Kentucky
34.16
South Carolina
33.74
Louisiana
32.39
Montana
31.87
Nevada
31.02
Mississippi
29.38
West Virginia
29.24
Alaska
26.91
Hawaii
26.03
Arkansas
25.56

Best State to Be a Police Officer 2024

Best State to Be a Police Officer 2024

What Makes a State a Great Place To Be a Police Officer?

There are a lot of people who are looking for a career where they get to spend time helping people, and some are drawn to the calling of the police force. The job of a police officer is to protect the citizens of this country from harm, but police officers have come under a significant amount of fire during the past few years. For example, many people no longer trust the police, and that makes it harder for police to integrate themselves into the city. When someone is looking for a great state to be a police officer, they need to think not only about pay but also about safety. That way, they can avoid drawing the ire of the public and have the freedom to do their jobs appropriately.

Does Political Leaning Impact the Quality of a State for Police Officers?

When taking a look at the states for police officers, it is prudent to examine the political leaning of an area. Even though looking at “red” versus “blue” states is important, it is more important to take a look at how the city feels about the police force. For example, there are plenty of cities located in blue states that still trust the police. Conversely, there are plenty of major cities in relatively red states where the citizens may not have a good relationship with the police force. Aspiring police officers should always take a look at the relationship of the city with its police force before deciding to work there.

What Is the Best State To Be a Police Officer?

Based on all the factors above, it is widely believed that Connecticut is the best place in which to be a police officer. There are a number of reasons why Connecticut is such a great place for police officers. First, the pay scale is generous, and police officers should not have a difficult time making ends meet. Connecticut also has favorable law enforcement training requirements, meaning that the bar is relatively low for someone to become a police officer. Of note, Connecticut is also one of the safest states in the country, police officers should not have to worry about being constantly under fire.

What Are Other Great States for Police Officers?

There are several other states that are great locations for someone to be a police officer. California also pays its police officers relatively well, but depending on where you are located in California, you may have to contend with some political backlash. This is particularly true in Los Angeles. The District of Columbia is also a great location for police officers. Because Washington, D.C. is supported by the federal government, there is generally more funding available for police officers. A few other states that are great for police officers include Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington, and Colorado. Every state has its benefits and drawbacks, and aspiring police officers must think carefully.

Best State to Be a Police Officer 2024

With the exception of Overall Score, all values displayed are ranks out of 51, with 1 being the highest/best and 51 being the lowest/worst.

Download Table Data

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State
Overall Rank
Overall Score
Opportunity and Competition Rank
Training Requirements Rank
Job Hazards and Protections Rank
Connecticut159.911817
California257.9716213
Illinois356.955621
District of Columbia456.661349
Maryland556.341378
Massachusetts655.4631214
Minnesota752.966184
Washington852.8841320
Colorado952.657831
Ohio1051.9326526
Maine1150.9920173
Georgia1248.44281024
New York1346.722409
Tennessee1446.6437441
Delaware1546.5792419
South Dakota1645.5323938
New Hampshire1744.7611441
Texas1844.37291139
New Jersey1944.218396
Pennsylvania2043.75272618
Iowa2143.58103016
Indiana2243.35411430
Virginia2342.98242811
Rhode Island2442.93482110
Vermont2542.8631382
Michigan2642.73252329
Oklahoma2741.53321545
Utah2841.2449255
North Carolina2940.61362722
New Mexico3039.85191651
Nebraska3139.62174612
Wisconsin3239.52303125
Idaho3339.33452032
Arizona3439.08223227
Missouri3538.7461933
Florida3638.41334215
North Dakota3737.51214917
Kansas3837.46143437
Oregon3936.99344123
Wyoming4036.76432240
Alabama4134.57154736
Kentucky4234.16402942
South Carolina4333.74353344
Louisiana4432.39124348
Montana4531.87383546
Nevada4631.02394834
Mississippi4729.38503743
West Virginia4829.24474535
Alaska4926.91425047
Hawaii5026.03445128
Arkansas5125.56513650
showing: 51 rows

Sources