Police Patrol Officer
Shift-work pay reference for Police Patrol Officer in Law Enforcement Patrol.
- Median hourly wage
- $32.80/hr
- Annual FT equivalent
- $68,224
- Common schedule
- Compressed 4-10 Workweek
- Overtime rule
- FLSA 207(k) — 171 hours per 28-day work period for police
- Break policy
- on-duty meal
- Industry
- Law Enforcement Patrol
A Police Patrol Officer working in Law Enforcement Patrol typically follows the Compressed 4-10 Workweek pattern. Base pay around $32.80 per hour translates to roughly $1,312.00 for a standard 40-hour workweek and an annual full-time equivalent near $68,224 before any overtime, shift differential, or premium pay. For deeper context on how this role is paid across employers, see this industry payroll reference.
Overtime for this role is governed by FLSA 207(k) — 171 hours per 28-day work period for police. When the threshold is crossed, the overtime rate is approximately $49.20 per hour at the median wage. Employers must document worked time accurately on the timecard, and break deductions must follow the recorded policy: on-duty meal. Compare current premium ranges in the shift differential survey for Law Enforcement Patrol.
Because this position is part of a 24/7 operation, real take-home pay can shift considerably from week to week. Shift differentials commonly add between one and four dollars per hour for evenings and overnights. Holiday coverage, mandatory holdovers when relief is unavailable, and on-call callbacks all push the gross higher. On the other hand, unpaid meal periods, split-shift gaps, and missed punches can reduce paid time. Annual benchmarks are tracked in the Police Patrol Officer staffing benchmark.
Use the calculators on ShiftClock to model a Police Patrol Officer's real schedule. Start with the matching schedule pattern page to see how a full rotation lays out, then run the relevant overtime or shift-differential calculator to convert the schedule into pay. The role appears in our directory under Law Enforcement Patrol, alongside the other shift-work occupations that share the same staffing model.
Recordkeeping is critical. Employers must keep accurate timecards under FLSA section 11(c), and workers should compare their pay stubs against an independent calculation each pay period. ShiftClock is designed to make that second calculation fast: pick the schedule, drop in the punches, and confirm that the regular hours, overtime hours, and any premium pay match what the employer paid.
Open the pre-loaded calculator
The Police Patrol Officer shift hours & pay calculator is pre-loaded with the median wage above and the typical schedule pattern. Adjust the inputs to model your specific shift.
Sample week of pay
If a typical workweek for this role is about 40.0 compensable hours, the regular portion would total 40.0 hours at $32.80/hr, with 0.0 hours of overtime at $49.20/hr. Combined gross before differentials: $1,312.00.