Salary & Benefits
The Paterson Police Department offers a six-figure salary after seven years of service and comprehensive benefits package designed to attract and retain top law enforcement professionals. In addition to a structured salary scale with opportunities for advancement and longevity increases, officers receive excellent health benefits, retirement plans, and paid time off. The PPD also provides additional financial incentives for specialized assignments, higher education, and overtime opportunities.
Beyond financial compensation, officers benefit from job stability, extensive training programs, and career development opportunities across various specialized units. The department is committed to supporting the well-being of its officers and their families, ensuring they have the resources and support needed for a fulfilling and sustainable career in law enforcement.
Paterson Police Officers can also earn the following increases to their pay:
- Annual Pay Increases – PPD Officers receive annual salary step increases every year while in the same position until they hit the maximum salary
- Overtime –Officers are eligible for overtime as well as extra-duty assignments to supplement their salary
- Detective Pay & Night Differential – Officers working certain shifts and assignments will receive additional pay to their base salary
Career Development
Access to specialized training programs and opportunities for advancement within the department.
Health, Dental, Vision
Excellent health, vision, and dental plans are available for Paterson Police Officers and their spouse/domestic partner and children through the City of Paterson.
Paid Time Off
PPD provides generous paid time off, which includes personal time, vacation and holidays
Sick, Disability and Military Leave
PPD provides a variety of leave options:
- Sick Leave
- Disability Leave
- Military Leave – The Paterson Police Department offers up to one year paid military leave
Maternity & Family Leave
The Paterson Police Department offers its staff generous maternity and family leave that allows time off to care for yourself or a family member as well as time off for you to bond with your child.
Through both the Federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA), expectant and new mothers may take up to 12 weeks of leave for pregnancy/recovery and/or related serious health condition, as well as up to 12 weeks of leave for baby bonding. New mothers who give birth can transition directly from Temporary Disability Insurance to Family Leave Insurance (FLI), ensuring a continuum of cash benefits so that employees may stop working full-time to care for themselves and their new children.
Fathers/partners bonding with newborns also may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave within the child’s first year after birth. They can receive cash benefits through FLI while taking time off from work.
Military Benefits
In additional to military leave, the Paterson Police Department is a Pro Military Agency, meaning the Department employs and supports our staff members who serve or have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
Retirement
Pension Plan
Paterson Police Officers have membership in the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS). The system’s pension contribution rate is set at 10 percent of the gross biweekly wage and offers retirement and death benefits for the employee or their beneficiary.
Purchasing Service Credit
Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) members may be eligible to purchase up to 10 years of credit for civilian service rendered with any state, county, municipality, school district or public agency outside the State of New Jersey but within the United States as well as service rendered with the U.S. Government.
PFRS members are eligible to purchase credit for up to 10 years of active military service rendered prior to enrollment, provided the member is not receiving or eligible to receive a military pension or a pension from any other state or local source for such military service.
