FAQs • San Mateo • CivicEngage

Do you offer a pension?: The Police Officers’ Association has negotiated CalPERS 3% @ 55 with 3-year average final compensation for “Classic” members and 2.7% @ 57 with 3-year average final compensation for “New” members. Retirement program reciprocity is available for those who qualify. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

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Police Department Recruitment: Officer Incentives

1. Can I have a beard as a police officer?: Yes. Review San Mateo PD Lexipol Policy Section 1044 for specific details.

2. Can I have tattoos as a police officer?: Yes. Review San Mateo PD Lexipol Policy Section 1044 for specific details.

3. Do officers have a take home car?: The Police Officers’ Associate negotiated take-home-cars for detectives and the public information officer. Patrol officers have assigned vehicles they leave at the police station after their shifts. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

4. What type of work schedule do your officers have?: Patrol officers currently work a rotating four days on and four days off schedule. Officers in specialty assignments typically work four days on and three days off. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

5. What is the base salary range for officers?: Effective July 9, 2023, the base salary is $122,927 - $146,493. This does not include incentives. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

6. What incentives do you have if applicable?: The Police Officers’ Association has negotiated the following incentives: Education (3%-7%), Bilingual ($5,200/year), Uniform Allowance ($999/year), Master Officer (3%-7%), Specialty Unit (5%), Field Training Officer (8%), a take-home-car program for detectives and the public information officer. The City of San Mateo also offers free fitness classes through Parks and Recreation for employees. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

7. Do you offer a pension?: The Police Officers’ Association has negotiated CalPERS 3% @ 55 with 3-year average final compensation for “Classic” members and 2.7% @ 57 with 3-year average final compensation for “New” members. Retirement program reciprocity is available for those who qualify. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

8. Is there lifetime medical for officers?: The City of San Mateo contributes into the PORAC Medical Trust account for members of the Police Officers’ Association. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

9. What medical benefits are available?: A choice of medical plans with individual coverage of 100% and City paid family coverage up to 90% of the Kaiser family plan or $160 per month if waived. City paid premiums for dental, vision, and life insurance. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

10. How many vacation, and sick time hours would I receive?: The Police Officers’ Association has negotiated 88-200 hours of annual vacation (depending on years of service), 13 paid holidays per year, and 96 sick hours per year. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

11. Are there housing programs for police officers?: The City of San Mateo created barracks for employees. We have sleeping quarters at headquarters and the substation for employees to refresh themselves between shifts or before their commute home. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.

12. Do you have an on-duty work out program?: Yes. Officers are encouraged to work out on-duty. For the most current information, please review the San Mateo POA MOU.