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Salary and Benefits
Police Officer
- Base Salary: $140,948 to $167,969 (Includes MOU raises through 2026)
- Hiring Bonus: $30,000 for laterals who qualify. $1,500 for all other police officers and trainees.
- Master Officer: 3% to 7% (experienced laterals qualify)
- Differentials: Specialty Unit (5%), Field Training Officer (8%)
- Educational Incentives: 4% Intermediate POST, 9% Advanced POST
- Bilingual Differential: $200 biweekly
- Uniform Allowance: $38.46 biweekly. Initial uniforms purchased by the City.
- Vacation: 88-200 hours of annual vacation, depending on length of service.
- Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year
- Leaves: 12 sick days earned per year; extended sick leave and family sick leave.
- PORAC Retiree Medical Trust: City pays $550 per month towards this benefit.
- Retirement: CalPERS 3% at 55 with highest average annual pensionable compensation earned during 36 consecutive months of service for "classic" members. CalPERS 2.7% at 57 with highest average annual pensionable compensation earned during 36 consecutive months of service for "new" members.
- Health Insurance: Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Life Insurance: $50,000 Life Insurance & $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.
- Deferred Compensation: In addition to a traditional deferred comp plan, the City contributes 2.63% of base salary to an IRS 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan.
- On-Duty Wellness Program: Paid on-duty workout time.
- Facilities: Newer police facility, newly renovated gym, on-site firearms range, on & off-site sleeping barracks.
- Technology: Taser, Red Dot Firearms, RIMS, Live911, BWC, ICC, Flock, StarChase, UAS, and so much more!
- Police Vehicles: Unmarked take-home car for PIO and detectives. Assigned patrol vehicles for Field Operations.
- Programs: Credit union, Employee Assistance Program, free therapy, free fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation program.
- Unit: San Mateo Police Officers' Association. Review MOU for the latest information.
Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions or email the Recruiting Unit at joinsmpd@cityofsanmateo.org.
Police Dispatcher
- Base Salary: $98,083 to $128,745 (Includes MOU raises through 2026)
- Hiring Bonus: $15,000 for qualifying full-time lateral dispatchers. $3,000 for qualifying part-time dispatchers.
- Differentials: Shift Differential (5%)
- Education Incentive: 1% to 2.5%
- Bilingual Differential: $138.46 biweekly
- Uniform Allowance: $8 biweekly. Initial uniform purchased by the City.
- Vacation: 88-200 hours of annual vacation, depending on length of service.
- Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year
- Leaves: 12 sick days earned per year; extended sick leave and family sick leave.
- PORAC Retiree Medical Trust: City pays $550 per month toward benefit.
- Retirement: CalPERS retirement 2% @ 55 with 3-year average final comp for “Classic” members and 2% @ 62 with 3-year average final comp for “New” members. Participation in the Social Security Program.
- Health Insurance: Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Life Insurance: $50,000 Life Insurance & $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.
- Deferred Compensation: In addition to a traditional deferred comp plan, the City contributes 0.75% of base salary to an IRS 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan.
- On-Duty Wellness: Paid on-duty work out time.
- Facilities: Newer police facility, newly renovated gym, on-site firearms range, on & off-site sleeping barracks.
- Technology: RIMS, Rapid Deploy, Live911, Zetron Consoles, Flock, StarChase, UAS, and so much more!
- Programs: Credit union, Employee Assistance Program, free therapy, free fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation program.
- Unit: San Mateo Police Officers' Association. Review MOU for the latest information.
Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions or email the Recruiting Unit at joinsmpd@cityofsanmateo.org.
Police Records Specialist
- Base Salary: $61,529 to $80,592
- Differentials: Shift Differential (4.5%)
- Bilingual Differential: $2,340 per year.
- Uniform Allowance: $208 per year. Initial uniform provided by the City.
- Vacation: 11-25 days per year, depending on length of service.
- Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year.
- Leaves: 12 sick days earned per year; extended sick leave and family sick leave.
- Retirement: CalPERS retirement 2% @ 55 with 3-year average final comp for “Classic” members and 2% @ 62 with 3-year average final comp for “New” members. Participation in the Social Security Program.
- Health Insurance: Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Facilities: Newer police facility, newly renovated gym, on-site firearms range, on & off-site sleeping barracks
- Programs: Credit union, Employee Assistance Program, free therapy, free fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation program.
- Unit: San Mateo City Employees' Association General Unit. Review MOU for the latest information.
Learn more about Frequently Asked Questions or email the Recruiting Unit at joinsmpd@cityofsanmateo.org.