Benefits
Benefits for San Diego Police Officers
- Four-Day Work Week
- 11 Paid Holidays per year
- 13-21 Days Paid Annual Leave per Year (depending on length of service)
- Yearly Uniform Allowance - $900 (additional allowance for specialized units)
- Flexible Benefits Plan (Includes Health, Dental, Vision)
- Excellent Retirement Program - 3% at 55
- 401K/Deferred Compensation Plans available
- Tuition Reimbursement - $2,000 per year
- 30 Days Paid Military Leave per Year
Shift Differential Pay
- 2nd Watch – 3.8%
- 3rd Watch – 5.3 %
Educational Incentive Pay
- Intermediate POST – 6%
- Advanced POST – 8.5%
Available Add-On Pay
- Bilingual – 3.5%
- Community Relations Officer – 3.5%
- Field Training Officer – 10%
- SWAT Officer – 3.5%
- SWAT Sniper – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle)
- Emergency Negotiator – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle while on-call)
- Motor Officer – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle)
- Accident Investigation Bureau – 4% (plus take-home vehicle while on-call)
- Canine Unit – 3.5% (plus take-home vehicle)
- Harbor Unit – 4%
- In-Service Training – 3.5%
- Longevity Pay – 5%
- Detective – 5% (plus take-home vehicle while on-call)
- Flight Pay – 15%
Home Loan Program
For further information, visit SD Police Home Loan Program.
For the latest salary information, visit the 
City of San Diego Personnel Department Salary Table.
- Chief of Police
- Assistant Police Chief
- Police Captain
- Police Lieutenant
- Police Sergeant
- Community Relations Assistant to the Chief of Police
- Detective
- Police Officer III
- Police Officer II
- Police Officer I
- Police Recruit (entry-level)
Apply Now
Police Recruit
Entry level, no law enforcement experience required
Police Officer I
CA POST Certified academy graduate OR less than two years of sworn police officer experience
Police Officer II
Two or more years of sworn police officer experience
Apply Here - Police Officer II
Benefits for Police Dispatchers
Starting salary for Police 9-1-1 Dispatchers is $20.18 an hour, plus incentive pay.
Police Dispatchers starting pay is $26.67 an hour, plus incentive pay.
Examples of incentive pay include:
- Five percent shift differential;
- Twenty percent Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) incentive (required);
- Five percent 911 Emergency Dispatcher pay;
- $.70 per hour bilingual pay;
- $.90 per hour trainer pay;
- $2000 per year of tuition reimbursement.
City of San Diego employees may join the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) which is the bargaining unit for benefits and pay raises. MEA members can receive legal representation and discount tickets to Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, the San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park and other attractions.
City of San Diego employees receive 11 paid holidays per year and three weeks annual leave for the first five years of service.
The city offers a cafeteria-style benefits package where each employee is allotted a sum of money. Health insurance and life insurance are required for all employees unless covered by a spouse or significant other. Employees may select from approximately three choices of health-care providers.
The Communications Division operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The shift schedules vary and can change depending upon the season. Communications full-time staff work four ten-hour shifts with three consecutive days off each week.
If you have additional questions about San Diego Police Department Recruiting, see the Frequently Asked Questions, call 619-531-COPS (2677) or email sdpdrecruiting@pd.sandiego.gov.