California Police Unions Take Issue with Survey Naming State as Best Place for Cops
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 California police unions.
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."
More Patrol

The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →
Team Wendy Announces Title Sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation
Team Wendy’s 3-year partnership with the Jorge Pastore Foundation expands access to programs that strengthen those who serve.
Read More →