A new study ranks Ohio among the top states for police officers.
WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C. using 30 measures of “police friendliness.” The analysis included median income for law enforcement, police deaths per capita, and the quality of officer training. States with more instruction on de-escalation and mental health response scored higher.
The study, released May 4, used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Officer Down Memorial Page, and the Institute for American Police Reform.
“Some states make protecting and serving the public in a law enforcement career more appealing than others,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best states for police officers offer competitive compensation and thorough training to help reduce deadly violence.”
Ohio ranked as the 10th-best state for police officers. Lupo said Ohio stands out for its training requirements, especially in de-escalation. But he noted that officers’ salaries in Ohio are below average.
“Starting salaries are relatively low, and income growth for officers is particularly weak,” Lupo said. “Officers who prioritize compensation over training may not agree with the state’s top 10 ranking overall.”
California ranked first in the study. The state requires extensive training, offers a relatively high starting salary, and uses a “Blue Alert” system to warn the public about at-large suspects who attack police.
Rounding out the top 10 states for police officers were Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, Tennessee, and Ohio.
The study named Alaska the worst state for police officers, citing the lowest average starting salary, a high rate of officer assaults, and limited professional development opportunities. Alaska was followed by Hawaii, Nevada, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, Oregon, Vermont, and Mississippi.