It was reported today in La Nacion that the Chief of Police earns eight times more than a rookie cop.

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According to the Ministry of Security the Chief of Police in Costa Rica earns a total ¢3.159.700 (US$6,418) per month or US$83,434 per year, a rookie police officer only earns a total of ¢397.500 (US$807) per month or US$10,491 per year.

A police officer ‘Inspector 1’ working for the Immigration authorities earns ¢260.000 and with extra benefits this could reach up to ¢475.000 (US$965) per month or US$12,545 per year.

A police officer in the prison service in Costa Rica earns a base salary of ¢251.900 and with extra benefits this could reach up to ¢393.000 (US$802) per month or US$10,426 per year.

Police Office Salaries in the U.S.

To put these numbers into perspective, the Annual Mean Wage of ‘Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers‘ in the following states in U.S. is:

  • New Jersey US$84,930
  • California US$84,320
  • Alaska US$72,240
  • Washington US$68,920
  • New York US$68,510

All salary information for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers taken from the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. (You can see more detailed information in the charts at the bottom of this page.)

In The Riddle of the Gun article New York Times bestselling author Sam Harris states that: “Suffice it to say, if a person enters your home for the purpose of harming you, you cannot reasonably expect the police to arrive in time to stop him. This is not the fault of the police–it is a problem of physics.”

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I personally would not put my family’s safety in the hands of any government employee in any country who is paid a salary – of whatever amount – to “protect and serve” because history has proven time and time again that they do not protect and, they serve others, they certainly do not serve the public at large – you and I.

So the question has to be: Would you put your life on the line for a stranger for a salary of just over $10,000 per year!

If your answer is no! Then I would encourage you to make sure that *you* take full responsibility for the safety and security of you, your family and your property wherever you may live in this world.

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Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 3. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raices en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?

Scott Oliver's Four Books

Scott Oliver’s Four Books.

* According to the Banco Central de Costa Rica the current exchange rate is c492.31:US$1

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