D.C. area fire, police chiefs have higher salaries than Md., Va. governors

June 5, 2011 - 09:19 pm
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier is paid more than all other area police and fire chiefs--and governors. (Photo: Jay Westcott)

WASHINGTON (AP) - The salaries of many of the police and fire chiefs in the Washington region outpace the earnings of their states' governors.

Comment

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier is the region's highest-paid top cop with a $253,000 annual salary. Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger's $216,600 salary comes in second.

Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers is the region's highest-paid firefighter, with $190,000. He makes just $3,000 more than D.C. Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe and $15,000 more than Fairfax County's Fire Chief Ronald Mastin.

By comparison, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley makes $150,000 - less than all but one top public safety official in the area. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell earns $175,000 annually.

While some criticize such high salaries, some officials say they are key to attracting top candidates for tough posts.

Short URL: http://wj.la/kEe2H2

No comments