By Matthew Loux, criminal justice faculty at American Military University InPublicSafety The financial health of law enforcement officers is extremely important to help reduce stress, alleviate ethical issues, maintain security clearances, and stop living paycheck to paycheck. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national salary estimate of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is $58,720. That $58,720 is reduced by taxes, Social Security, Medicare, health and life insurance, retirement, and other allotments.
A 2013 survey by Bankrate.com, showed that 76 percent of people surveyed live paycheck-to-paycheck, only 35 percent of those making less than $75,000 have at least three months’ of emergency savings, and 27 percent of those surveyed had no savings. Full Story: Financial Fitness for Law Enforcement Officers[/size] | ||
[size=12]About the author In Public Safety is an American Military University (AMU) sponsored blog that features analysis and commentary on issues relating to law enforcement, emergency management, fire services and national intelligence. This blog features in-depth discussions authored by leading experts with decades of experience in their field. To stay updated on blog posts and other news relevant to these sectors, please follow us on Facebook by "liking" AMU & APUS Public Safety Programs. You can also follow us on our sector-specific Twitter accounts: @AMUPoliceEd, @AMUFireEd, @AMUDisasterEd, @AMUIntelStudies[/size] |
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financial health of law enforcement officers
Admin- Senior Officer
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DavidJ- Senior Officer
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How about the unhealthy financial state of the majority of Canadian security guards. In particular, those in Ontario.
Some years back unions made their way into the Ontario contract security industry. Guards are forced to belong and pay union dues. Yes they now have access to some benefits BUT they are still making at or near minimum wage.
Sometimes the worst element of Ontario security guards' plight are the guards themselves. Why have they not seen a suitable pay raise with these unions. Because the members are not forcing the issue. These unions and their members should be fighting for legislation to force a standard wage scale in the security industry.
I'll use Ontario as my subject province. Security guards should have a legislated start wage of $15/hr and progress to $20+/hr. This should also include a comprehensive benefit package. Most clients that hire contract security can actually afford this pay scale. They simply don't want to divert money to that purpose. If an entity such as Hamilton Health Sciences can pay its in-house security guards $25+/hr there is no reason other multi million/billion dollar entities can't cover a wage increase for security staff to protect their assets (and their asses).
Some years back unions made their way into the Ontario contract security industry. Guards are forced to belong and pay union dues. Yes they now have access to some benefits BUT they are still making at or near minimum wage.
Sometimes the worst element of Ontario security guards' plight are the guards themselves. Why have they not seen a suitable pay raise with these unions. Because the members are not forcing the issue. These unions and their members should be fighting for legislation to force a standard wage scale in the security industry.
I'll use Ontario as my subject province. Security guards should have a legislated start wage of $15/hr and progress to $20+/hr. This should also include a comprehensive benefit package. Most clients that hire contract security can actually afford this pay scale. They simply don't want to divert money to that purpose. If an entity such as Hamilton Health Sciences can pay its in-house security guards $25+/hr there is no reason other multi million/billion dollar entities can't cover a wage increase for security staff to protect their assets (and their asses).
StevenWS- General Officer
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DavidJ wrote:How about the unhealthy financial state of the majority of Canadian security guards. In particular, those in Ontario.
Some years back unions made their way into the Ontario contract security industry. Guards are forced to belong and pay union dues. Yes they now have access to some benefits BUT they are still making at or near minimum wage.
Sometimes the worst element of Ontario security guards' plight are the guards themselves. Why have they not seen a suitable pay raise with these unions. Because the members are not forcing the issue. These unions and their members should be fighting for legislation to force a standard wage scale in the security industry.
I'll use Ontario as my subject province. Security guards should have a legislated start wage of $15/hr and progress to $20+/hr. This should also include a comprehensive benefit package. Most clients that hire contract security can actually afford this pay scale. They simply don't want to divert money to that purpose. If an entity such as Hamilton Health Sciences can pay its in-house security guards $25+/hr there is no reason other multi million/billion dollar entities can't cover a wage increase for security staff to protect their assets (and their asses).
Are guards in Alberta make from 16 to 20+. At our agency we pay 16 to 18 with overtime( time and half) after 8 hours per shift. NO unions in my area. If agencies would try and raise their rate and hold their ground we could get the the industry average up. Can you imagine the chaos in the country in there was no security guards working for a few days?
DavidJ- Senior Officer
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An extremely few security guards in Ontario make more than minimum wage (Ontario general minimum wage = $11.00/hr).
Individual must pay for security guard and or private investigator training course, pass said course then pay to write a Ontario government test and pass that and then pay $80/year for the security license.
Now lets add to that. Most contract companies make guards pay for all or part of their uniform. Some will rebate it if you stay 1 year. As for courses, some companies even make you pay for courses. The kick in the pants for that is that you get paid the same.
Ontario's system for security guards is a ripoff and cash cow from start to finish. Decent reputable training will cost between $400-$600. The government* test is $67.80. Plus the $80/yr for guard license or $160 for dual guard/private investigator. That is a hell of a lot of money for minimum wage.
Some loss prevention officers make a little more (and I mean a LITTLE more). There was a site supervisor position posted locally for $14/hr. Prestigious account and responsibilities such as scheduling. In Hamilton ON a living wage** has been stated to be $14.95.
*http://www.ontariosecuritytesting.ca/faq.html
**http://livingwagehamilton.ca/wp/what-is-a-living-wage/
Individual must pay for security guard and or private investigator training course, pass said course then pay to write a Ontario government test and pass that and then pay $80/year for the security license.
Now lets add to that. Most contract companies make guards pay for all or part of their uniform. Some will rebate it if you stay 1 year. As for courses, some companies even make you pay for courses. The kick in the pants for that is that you get paid the same.
Ontario's system for security guards is a ripoff and cash cow from start to finish. Decent reputable training will cost between $400-$600. The government* test is $67.80. Plus the $80/yr for guard license or $160 for dual guard/private investigator. That is a hell of a lot of money for minimum wage.
Some loss prevention officers make a little more (and I mean a LITTLE more). There was a site supervisor position posted locally for $14/hr. Prestigious account and responsibilities such as scheduling. In Hamilton ON a living wage** has been stated to be $14.95.
*http://www.ontariosecuritytesting.ca/faq.html
**http://livingwagehamilton.ca/wp/what-is-a-living-wage/
DavidJ- Senior Officer
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Join date : 2015-01-11
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Here in Ontario the agencies are not concerned with improving anything but the company's bottom line.
This is why I say that security guard wages should be legislated to set scales.
Again, I can only speak to Ontario, but it is a dog eat dog world for contract security companies here.
This is why I say that security guard wages should be legislated to set scales.
Again, I can only speak to Ontario, but it is a dog eat dog world for contract security companies here.
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