Law Enforcement Supervisor Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Courses in law enforcement are helpful for the occupation. Useful courses include crime prevention, criminology, sociology, juvenile delinquency, criminal justice, social work, and public relations.
Training and Education
Workers normally have work experience in a related occupation before landing a job. Degrees are held by 33% of current employees. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 49% of law enforcement supervisors. Education topped out at high school for 18% of workers.
Job Overview
Law enforcement supervisors oversee the activities of police personnel. They make sure police personnel properly and efficiently perform their duties in accordance with orders, procedures, and laws. A police supervisor also assigns duties to station personnel. Law enforcement supervisors employed in large cities usually specialize in departmental assignments and specific duties.
Job Requirements
Police departments typically require police supervisors to have a high school diploma and some require police supervisors to have an associate or bachelor's degree or have at least completed some college courses. Some states require a license for the occupation.
Nature of Work
- Develop schedules and delegate work
- Review new techniques of police work with staff members
- Investigate charges of neglect of duty or inefficiency against personnel and take disciplinary action if needed
- Ensure appropriate preparation and transmittal of reports
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of employees in Alexandria (Louisiana), Yuma (Arizona), and Jefferson City (Missouri), and comparatively fewer in Dallas (Texas), Fort Worth (Texas), and Houston (Texas).
Wages for Law enforcement supervisors are highest in San Jose (California), Nassau (New York), and Santa Barbara (California), and lowest in Goldsboro (North Carolina), South Bend (Indiana), and Monroe (Louisiana).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Part-time work suffices for 1% of law enforcement supervisors.
Career Videos
Law Enforcement Supervisors by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $73,000 | 220 | -22% |
| Decatur | $61,000 | 30 | +11% |
| Dothan | $52,000 | 40 | +34% |
| Huntsville | $74,000 | 30 | -74% |
| Mobile | $80,000 | 70 | -28% |
| Montgomery | $67,000 | 120 | +33% |
| Tuscaloosa | $62,000 | 50 | +4% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $91,000 | 120 | +30% |
| Fairbanks | $91,000 | 30 | +93% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $81,000 | 60 | +109% |
| Kingman | $79,000 | 60 | +154% |
| Phoenix | $88,000 | 1,680 | +65% |
| Prescott | $77,000 | 70 | +155% |
| Tucson | $95,000 | 310 | +60% |
| Yuma | $78,000 | 270 | +857% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $53,000 | 170 | +50% |
| Fort Smith | $53,000 | 60 | -10% |
| Little Rock | $63,000 | 260 | +32% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $110,000 | 50 | -66% |
| El Centro | $98,000 | 150 | +499% |
| Fresno | $104,000 | 100 | -45% |
| Merced | $101,000 | 40 | +38% |
| Modesto | $112,000 | 30 | -65% |
| Oakland | $140,000 | 230 | -60% |
| Oxnard | $136,000 | 70 | -58% |
| Redding | $108,000 | 30 | -2% |
| Riverside | $113,000 | 410 | -41% |
| Sacramento | $109,000 | 360 | -28% |
| Salinas | $125,000 | 40 | -55% |
| San Diego | $112,000 | 620 | -18% |
| San Francisco | $132,000 | 180 | -69% |
| San Jose | $143,000 | 140 | -73% |
| Santa Ana | $139,000 | 240 | -71% |
| Santa Barbara | $123,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Santa Rosa | $126,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Stockton | $118,000 | 60 | -49% |
| Vallejo | $118,000 | 50 | -23% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $101,000 | 40 | -53% |
| Colorado Springs | $81,000 | 120 | -15% |
| Denver | $94,000 | 690 | -4% |
| Fort Collins | $95,000 | 30 | -56% |
| Greeley | $84,000 | 70 | +85% |
| Pueblo | $84,000 | 50 | +72% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $84,000 | 260 | +7% |
| Hartford | $81,000 | 560 | +70% |
| New Haven | $85,000 | 240 | +56% |
| Norwich | $76,000 | 110 | +65% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $88,000 | 60 | +131% |
| Wilmington | $85,000 | 200 | +8% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $114,000 | 2,310 | +64% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $84,000 | 90 | -16% |
| Deltona | $76,000 | 90 | +7% |
| Gainesville | $73,000 | 70 | +6% |
| Jacksonville | $88,000 | 250 | -28% |
| Miami | $112,000 | 430 | -24% |
| Orlando | $82,000 | 420 | -28% |
| Palm Bay | $71,000 | 100 | -9% |
| Panama City | $71,000 | 40 | +12% |
| Port St Lucie | $82,000 | 90 | +40% |
| Sarasota | $87,000 | 100 | -28% |
| Tallahassee | 210 | +136% | |
| Tampa | $91,000 | 350 | -47% |
| West Palm Beach | $101,000 | 300 | +1% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $53,000 | 80 | +152% |
| Athens | $46,000 | 220 | +496% |
| Atlanta | $62,000 | 2,080 | +56% |
| Augusta | $49,000 | 110 | -4% |
| Dalton | $47,000 | 60 | +71% |
| Valdosta | $53,000 | 70 | +180% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $73,000 | 300 | +104% |
| Coeur Dalene | $64,000 | 70 | +174% |
| Idaho Falls | $60,000 | 70 | +199% |
| Lewiston | $67,000 | 40 | +272% |
| Pocatello | $66,000 | 40 | +178% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 50 | +37% | |
| Champaign | $88,000 | 60 | +9% |
| Chicago | $99,000 | 3,540 | +62% |
| Kankakee | $104,000 | 40 | +97% |
| Peoria | $89,000 | 140 | +48% |
| Rockford | $80,000 | 70 | -9% |
| Springfield | $102,000 | 140 | +142% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $63,000 | 80 | -16% |
| Gary | $64,000 | 140 | -8% |
| Indianapolis | $68,000 | 650 | +26% |
| Lafayette | $61,000 | 40 | +1% |
| Michigan City | $53,000 | 40 | +98% |
| South Bend | $67,000 | 50 | -29% |
| Terre Haute | $53,000 | 40 | +13% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $81,000 | 140 | +35% |
| Des Moines | $80,000 | 230 | +23% |
| Iowa City | $73,000 | 50 | +36% |
| Sioux City | $70,000 | 60 | +58% |
| Waterloo | $59,000 | 90 | +98% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $56,000 | 160 | +169% |
| Wichita | $65,000 | 290 | +78% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | $69,000 | 40 | +81% |
| Lexington | $58,000 | 210 | +55% |
| Louisville | 350 | +0% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $61,000 | 110 | +232% |
| Baton Rouge | $63,000 | 250 | +18% |
| Houma | $48,000 | 70 | +38% |
| Lafayette | 110 | +40% | |
| Lake Charles | $53,000 | 110 | +135% |
| Monroe | $46,000 | 130 | +224% |
| New Orleans | $75,000 | 710 | +134% |
| Shreveport | $64,000 | 180 | +81% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $68,000 | 40 | +27% |
| Portland | $71,000 | 90 | -20% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $85,000 | 2,110 | +178% |
| Bethesda | $95,000 | 240 | -28% |
| Hagerstown | $77,000 | 70 | +35% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $85,000 | 100 | +88% |
| Boston | $84,000 | 1,940 | +93% |
| Brockton | $83,000 | 150 | +213% |
| Framingham | $84,000 | 250 | +177% |
| Haverhill | $68,000 | 90 | +108% |
| Lawrence | $78,000 | 70 | +129% |
| Lowell | $86,000 | 70 | +7% |
| Peabody | $78,000 | 150 | +175% |
| Springfield | $75,000 | 270 | +60% |
| Taunton | $72,000 | 40 | +79% |
| Worcester | $84,000 | 200 | +41% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $75,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Battle Creek | $63,000 | 50 | +91% |
| Flint | $67,000 | 170 | +139% |
| Grand Rapids | $74,000 | 230 | +7% |
| Holland | $70,000 | 50 | -3% |
| Jackson | $66,000 | 40 | +64% |
| Kalamazoo | $67,000 | 120 | +62% |
| Lansing | $76,000 | 230 | +108% |
| Muskegon | $64,000 | 30 | +5% |
| Saginaw | $69,000 | 70 | +62% |
| Warren | $78,000 | 540 | -13% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $72,000 | 130 | +83% |
| Minneapolis | $84,000 | 1,220 | +18% |
| St Cloud | $74,000 | 40 | -22% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $60,000 | 80 | +38% |
| Hattiesburg | 50 | +71% | |
| Jackson | $57,000 | 210 | +47% |
| Pascagoula | $53,000 | 40 | +73% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $67,000 | 30 | -29% |
| Jefferson City | $73,000 | 170 | +339% |
| Joplin | $47,000 | 70 | +68% |
| Kansas City | $78,000 | 680 | +16% |
| St Joseph | $66,000 | 60 | +134% |
| St Louis | $71,000 | 1,180 | +53% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $72,000 | 40 | +51% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 70 | -21% | |
| Omaha | $72,000 | 290 | +8% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno | $89,000 | 180 | +69% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $84,000 | 50 | -10% |
| Nashua | $82,000 | 80 | +7% |
| Portsmouth | $74,000 | 30 | +2% |
| Rochester | $68,000 | 50 | +83% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $105,000 | 130 | +63% |
| Camden | $94,000 | 350 | +16% |
| Edison | $114,000 | 810 | +37% |
| Newark | $110,000 | 880 | +52% |
| Ocean City | $99,000 | 70 | +244% |
| Trenton | $107,000 | 200 | +57% |
| Vineland | $96,000 | 30 | -3% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $70,000 | 180 | -18% |
| Farmington | $68,000 | 50 | +100% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $68,000 | 910 | +253% |
| Binghamton | $66,000 | 90 | +48% |
| Buffalo | $79,000 | 560 | +76% |
| Glens Falls | $62,000 | 40 | +51% |
| Ithaca | $80,000 | 50 | +147% |
| Nassau | $121,000 | 1,330 | +82% |
| Poughkeepsie | $81,000 | 220 | +58% |
| Rochester | $76,000 | 410 | +41% |
| Syracuse | $69,000 | 270 | +52% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $56,000 | 150 | +53% |
| Burlington | $53,000 | 90 | +211% |
| Charlotte | $68,000 | 960 | +94% |
| Durham | $58,000 | 210 | +35% |
| Goldsboro | $53,000 | 40 | +100% |
| Greensboro | $60,000 | 310 | +53% |
| Greenville | $57,000 | 80 | +128% |
| Hickory | $48,000 | 170 | +110% |
| Jacksonville | $63,000 | 70 | +231% |
| Raleigh | $70,000 | 400 | +35% |
| Rocky Mount | $55,000 | 70 | +137% |
| Wilmington | $58,000 | 170 | +127% |
| Winston Salem | $64,000 | 190 | +61% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $75,000 | 50 | -25% |
| Grand Forks | $74,000 | 60 | +148% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $73,000 | 160 | -12% |
| Canton | $65,000 | 40 | -57% |
| Cincinnati | $76,000 | 470 | -20% |
| Cleveland | $84,000 | 630 | +7% |
| Columbus | $78,000 | 430 | -19% |
| Dayton | $77,000 | 230 | +5% |
| Lima | $58,000 | 30 | +14% |
| Mansfield | $57,000 | 30 | +14% |
| Toledo | $73,000 | 80 | -52% |
| Youngstown | $65,000 | 140 | +10% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $58,000 | 50 | +148% |
| Oklahoma City | $73,000 | 370 | +11% |
| Tulsa | $60,000 | 470 | +91% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $88,000 | 60 | +84% |
| Corvallis | $83,000 | 30 | +136% |
| Eugene | $79,000 | 100 | +30% |
| Medford | $86,000 | 70 | +72% |
| Portland | $85,000 | 620 | +5% |
| Salem | $84,000 | 130 | +58% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | $75,000 | 40 | +28% |
| Erie | $86,000 | 60 | -14% |
| Harrisburg | $86,000 | 380 | +109% |
| Lancaster | $79,000 | 80 | -40% |
| Pittsburgh | $76,000 | 500 | -25% |
| Reading | $79,000 | 80 | -13% |
| Scranton | $69,000 | 190 | +29% |
| Williamsport | $78,000 | 40 | +53% |
| York | $68,000 | 100 | +2% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $72,000 | 650 | +103% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $58,000 | 220 | +35% |
| Columbia | $56,000 | 270 | +35% |
| Florence | $53,000 | 60 | +44% |
| Greenville | $52,000 | 240 | +41% |
| Myrtle Beach | $50,000 | 80 | +36% |
| Spartanburg | $47,000 | 120 | +92% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $57,000 | 190 | +48% |
| Clarksville | $55,000 | 50 | +21% |
| Jackson | $49,000 | 70 | +132% |
| Kingsport | $64,000 | 50 | -24% |
| Knoxville | $72,000 | 100 | -47% |
| Memphis | $66,000 | 160 | -55% |
| Nashville | $71,000 | 310 | -27% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $65,000 | 40 | -30% |
| Austin | $66,000 | 510 | +12% |
| Beaumont | $74,000 | 100 | +12% |
| Brownsville | $86,000 | 200 | +181% |
| College Station | $73,000 | 120 | +144% |
| Dallas | $87,000 | 810 | -33% |
| Fort Worth | $79,000 | 620 | +24% |
| Houston | $90,000 | 980 | -36% |
| Killeen | $61,000 | 60 | -14% |
| Laredo | 230 | +457% | |
| Longview | $69,000 | 50 | -2% |
| Mcallen | $79,000 | 330 | +156% |
| Midland | $72,000 | 50 | +54% |
| San Angelo | $80,000 | 40 | +95% |
| San Antonio | $78,000 | 430 | -15% |
| Tyler | $79,000 | 40 | -17% |
| Waco | $70,000 | 70 | +31% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $65,000 | 140 | +26% |
| Provo | $67,000 | 150 | +59% |
| Salt Lake City | $70,000 | 420 | +20% |
| St George | $75,000 | 40 | +75% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $88,000 | 40 | -34% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $59,000 | 60 | +92% |
| Lynchburg | $67,000 | 60 | +13% |
| Richmond | $73,000 | 640 | +81% |
| Roanoke | $77,000 | 70 | -19% |
| Virginia Beach | $73,000 | 420 | -4% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $101,000 | 90 | +133% |
| Bremerton | 50 | +14% | |
| Kennewick | $79,000 | 60 | +12% |
| Olympia | $88,000 | 130 | +145% |
| Seattle | $98,000 | 690 | -15% |
| Tacoma | $90,000 | 190 | +27% |
| Wenatchee | $72,000 | 40 | +110% |
| Yakima | $83,000 | 80 | +81% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $60,000 | 60 | -25% |
| Huntington | $51,000 | 50 | -19% |
| Wheeling | $46,000 | 30 | -11% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $69,000 | 50 | +29% |
| Green Bay | $71,000 | 70 | -25% |
| Madison | $81,000 | 170 | -12% |
| Milwaukee | $79,000 | 310 | -35% |
| Oshkosh | $71,000 | 40 | -14% |
| Sheboygan | $73,000 | 40 | +40% |
| Wausau | $72,000 | 50 | +45% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $71,000 | 40 | +126% |
| Cheyenne | $81,000 | 50 | +138% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Supervisors of Police and Detectives schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.