California Police Unions Take Issue with Survey Naming State as Best Place for Cops

Several California police unions have come out against a recent WalletHub study that concluded the state was the best place to be a police officer, with critics citing low morale among the rank and file because of law enforcement staffing issues and soft-on-crime polices.

The report released by the personal finance website based its findings largely on compensation, training and job hazards and protection. However, it didn't survey officers or sheriff's deputies, said Tom Saggau, who represents several California police unions.

"Some of the things that they weighed in our opinion are just bananas," Saggau told Fox News Digital . "It's certainly not what we're hearing when we do a survey of the rank and file."

The one question the unions ask their members is if they would recommend their friends or loved ones to become a law enforcement officer in California, Saggau said, noting that nearly 85% of respondents say "no."

A major factor is California's criminal justice system, where some laws have allowed violent offenders to be released without bail and have enabled criminals to act in brazen ways, critics have said. 

"Just last week, two San Jose police officers were shot by a repeat offender with three warrants for his arrest for violent sex crimes," Steve Slack, president of the San Jose Police Officers' Association, said in a statement. "California police officers know that no bail policies make their jobs much more dangerous, and many California politicians support a catch and release mentality that protects the criminal at the expense of victims, the public and police officer safety."