What top cops are paid

Police chiefs in Snohomish County are paid about $80,000 to $150,000 a year. Compensation varies by community, but in general, the larger the city, the more police officers, the bigger the check. Those heading the local cop shops must balance the interests of the public, the police and politics.

Police chief salaries are market-driven, said Mitch Barker, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

Chief salaries are based on a community’s size and expectations, he said. At smaller departments, chiefs might go on patrol. They respond to 911 calls and make arrests. In bigger cities, a chief’s job may be more administrative.

Police chiefs are public figures. They must be able to navigate municipal politics and understand labor laws, Barker said. Most are at-will employees, meaning they can be dismissed without cause. Turnover is high.

Police chiefs must work with elected officials, including mayors and city councils. They must be available to answer questions and find solutions, Barker said.

Communities — and their police departments — have become more diverse. More police officers have college degrees. Camera phones and social media means officers’ actions increasingly are subject to scrutiny. Budgets are strapped, and training standards more stringent.

Most chiefs work more than full-time and can’t draw overtime, Barker said. They’re on call 24-7, especially when there’s a tragedy in the community.

“It’s a tough job,” he said. “It’s very difficult. It’s very demanding.”

Agency	Chief/Sheriff	Officers	Salary	Medical benefits
Arlington Police	Nelson Beazley	24	$120,694	$15,439
Brier Police	Donald Lane	7	$94,395	$9,300
Bothell Police	Carol Cummings	58	$145,752	$20,985
Edmonds Police	Al Compaan	52	$148,859	$8,439
Everett Police	Kathy Atwood	190	$143,496	$11,916
Granite Falls Police	Dennis Taylor	7	$86,000	$15,890
Island County Sheriff’s Office	Mark Brown	33	$86,362	$23,488**
Lake Stevens Police	Randy Celori	27	$121,512	$15,375
Lynnwood Police	Steve Jensen	71	$146,661	$8,267
Marysville Police	Rick Smith	53	$150,816	$22,214
Mill Creek Police	Bob Crannell	23	$125,294	$20,609
Monroe Police	Tim Quenzer	31	$125,688	$17,692
Mountlake Terrace Police	Greg Wilson	28	$122,400	$15,063
Mukilteo Police	Rex Caldwell	28	$109,395	$22,089
Snohomish*	Lt. John Flood	20	$102,219	$13,750
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office	John Lovick	261	$121,061	$13,750
Stanwood*	Lt. Richard Hawkins	11	$102,219	$13,750
Sultan*	Lt. Jeff Brand	8	$102,219	$13,750

*Contracts or partners with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for police services. Contract communities’ deputies are included in the sheriff’s office total.

**Includes all benefits. ICSO was unable to break out medical benefits.

Notes: Numbers of commissioned officers were self-reported to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs for 2011. Woodway has a part-time police chief. Tribal police departments not included. Darrington, Index and Gold Bar contract with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and do not have a designated chief. Medical benefits vary by number of dependents.