The fiscal fabric of Minnesota's law enforcement is once again under the microscope. A report from the Office of the Legislature Auditor, released on Friday, revealed that state troopers have seen a bump in their starting salaries but their peak pay still doesn't measure up to that of their counterparts in city police departments.
Shining a light on the remuneration received by the men and women in uniform, the 2022 Wage and Benefits Review by the OLA compared wages and benefits between Minnesota State Patrol troopers and officers in 34 Minnesota cities. While the OLA found that starting wages for troopers increased by 19.6% and top wages by 22.1% between 2019 and 2022, it's the rungs at the top of the ladder where the State Patrol falls short. In the year 2022, rookie troopers started at a base wage that was 2% higher than their municipal brethren, but the potential top-earning troopers lagged by 8% behind city officers' median top wage.
These changes reflect mandates by the Minnesota Legislature, which in 2020 and 2021 prescribed wage increases totaling 10.45% for troopers topping their pay scale, and an 8.45% raise for their colleagues below. Mike LeDoux, the president of the Minnesota State Troopers Association, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, "Which is a bit difficult for state troopers and state law enforcement to accept that low ranking when compared to our comparison group."
The gap in higher-end earnings, however, may be influenced by a plush perk not enjoyed by many city officers, an early retirement incentive that covers the cost of post-retirement health insurance for troopers. This benefit is extended to retired State Patrol troopers between the ages of 55 and 65, provided they meet certain conditions. Moreover, the OLA notes that troopers contribute a smaller share of their health insurance premiums than do their colleagues in most city police departments.
In addition to these points, state troopers are bestowed with more starting and maximum vacation leave than the majority of their municipal counterparts, emphasizing that compensation is more than just a salary. Specialized tasks attract supplemental pay on both sides, with the State Patrol offering unique compensation for freeway trooper and accident reconstruction duties, as stated in the OLA's report.
