Officer Salary and Benefits

Salary: The starting bi-weekly salary while attending the Springfield Police Academy will be $1,250.40 ($32,510.40 annually). The salary for the rank of Police Officer will range up to $51,500.80 annually based upon years of service with the department.

Educational Incentive: Upon successful completion of Academy Training, Police Officers are eligible for $200 annually for an Associate's Degree or $500 annually for a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or a related field. An Associate's Degree requires a minimum of 21 hours in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement. A Bachelor's Degree requires a minimum of 33 hours in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement.

Tuition Reimbursement: Must be approved by the Human Resources Department at least seven days prior to start of the class. Must satisfactorily complete the probationary period to be eligible. One course per semester may be approved based on the availability of funds. Reimbursement is based on the grade received. Pass/fail classes reimbursed at 80%.

Reimbursement applies to tuition only; does not apply toward cost of books, late registration fees, or incidental fees. Maximum $2,000 per fiscal year. An employee leaving City employment will be required to pay back 100% of tuition reimbursement payments received during the last six months of employment.

Health Insurance: Health insurance is available through the City of Springfield. Coverage for the employee is paid in full by the City. Family coverage is currently $368 per month paid by the employee.

Vacation Time: After 6 months-1 week, 1-7 years-2 weeks, 8-15 years-3 weeks, 16+ years-4 weeks.

Paid Holidays: Equivalent time off of 9 days per year.

Floating Holidays: The equivalent of 3 days off per calendar year - eligible after completing three months of service.

Sick Leave: 96 hours accrue each year.

Retirement: Employees hired on or after July 1, 2006, have the following retirement benefit:

A mandatory retirement plan that requires 8.5% employee contributions. Variable City contribution rate will be 32.88%. Normal unreduced retirement may be taken at age 55 with 25 years of service or age 60 with at least 5 years of service. Pension is calculated as 2.5% x final average monthly salary x years of service = monthly benefit. Benefit is not to exceed 75% of the employee’s final average salary. Final average monthly salary is based upon the average of the highest 3 years of the last 10 and will not include payment for unused leave balances. Members retiring from the pension system will not receive a return of employee contributions. Five years of service required for vesting. No automatic cost of living adjustment for retirees.

Clothing Allowance: Police Officers receive an annual clothing allowance to cover the replacement and cleaning costs of uniforms. Current clothing allowance rate upon successful completion of Academy training or Lateral Program is $51.42 per pay period. Clothing costs are determined and allowance rates are adjusted each July.

Police Officers (Academy) will receive an advance of approximately $818.51 with your first check and a second advance of approximately $668.46 upon graduation from the Academy.

Police Officers (Lateral Program) will receive an advance of approximately $716.90 with your first check and a second advance of approximately $668.46 upon graduation from the Program.

Variety: After academy training and two years of initial assignment to the patrol division, officers are eligible for specialized positions in three divisions, including undercover narcotics, motorcycle, bicycle patrol, COP, training, traffic, K9 and SRT.

Optional Benefits: Dental insurance, term life insurance, section 125 cafeteria plan, ICMA deferred compensation plan, computer purchase assistance plan.

For a more detailed list of benefits, go to Benefits of City Police.

Benefits are subject to change at any time without advance notice.