Benefits + Pay

Eligible service members may participate in the DoD SkillBridge Program while transitioning from military service. Because Cadets are paid City employees, there is no academy tuition to cover with VA education benefits.

Our CLEET-certified academy may also qualify eligible veterans and service members for VA education benefits, including a monthly housing allowance, from the start of the academy through completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) Rollovers

Military members leaving service can roll over their TSP into a 457(b) deferred compensation account with the City of Norman. This allows you to keep your retirement savings consolidated, avoid early withdrawal penalties, and continue growing your funds tax-deferred as you begin your law enforcement career.

Military Service Credit Toward Police Retirement

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces may be able to purchase up to five (5) years of prior active-duty military time and have it count toward their Oklahoma Police Pension (OPPRS) retirement. This applies to most modern-era service, including post-9/11 wartime periods. This can significantly accelerate a new officer’s retirement timeline. OPPRS will provide an exact cost estimate once you’re hired.

Patrol officers work four 10-hour shifts per week with three days off.

• Sick Leave: Earned at a rate of one shift per month

• Holidays: 13 paid holidays per year

• Comp Time: May accrue up to 160 hours of compensation time for overtime worked

• Vacation Leave: Accrued annually based on years of service:

  • 0–5 years: 12 days

  • 6–10 years: 15 days

  • 11–15 years: 18 days

  • 16–20 years: 21 days

  • 21+ years: 24 days

The City of Norman offers a variety of health, dental, vision, and life insurance options for employees and eligible dependents.

College Incentive Pay

Officers may receive additional education incentive pay each pay period based on their highest qualifying level of education:

College Credit: $0.49 per accredited credit hour, up to $39.20 per pay period
Associate Degree or 80+ Credit Hours: $39.20 per pay period
Bachelor's Degree: $63.00 per pay period
Master's Degree: $77.54 per pay period

Academy College Credits

Graduates of our police academy can earn up to 27 college credit hours through Northeastern State University and up to 34 credit hours through Rose State College.

Tuition Assistance

Eligible officers can receive up to $1,100 per semester in tuition reimbursement (more with Chief’s approval), with a $2,500 annual cap per officer. Approved courses must be satisfactorily completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Loan Forgiveness

As a full-time law enforcement officer, you may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your eligible federal Direct Loans after 10 years of qualifying payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Learn more about PSLF‍ ‍

All initial uniforms and equipment are provided.

Officers receive a $60 uniform allowance per pay period to cover maintenance and cleaning costs. Some accessories, such as a hydration pack, are suggested but not issued and may be purchased at the officer’s discretion.

Qualified officers are eligible for a take-home vehicle, which is assigned based on a waitlist and vehicle availability.

Officers selected as interpreters who fluently speak a designated foreign language or perform sign language receive an additional $50 per pay period.

Officers who meet certain criteria are eligible for shift differential pay of $0.30 to $0.40 per hour, added to their regular base pay.

Officers assigned to special or call-out teams—such as HDU, CIRT, or SWAT—receive an additional $50 per pay period in incentive pay.

Qualified Field Training Officers receive an additional $2.50 per hour for every hour spent training a probationary officer.

Officers become eligible for longevity pay after five years of continuous service, recognizing their commitment and service to the City.

As of July 2024, longevity pay is calculated as follows:

• 1% of the entry-level (Step 1) officer’s annual salary × years of service

• The total is then divided by 2,080 and added to the officer’s regular hourly rate (excludes overtime).

Longevity pay is capped at 25 years of service.

• 5 Years:   $2,932.60/year

• 10 Years: $5,865.20/year

• 15 Years: $8,797.80/year

• 20 Years: $11,730.40/year

• 25 Years: $14,663.00/year

All officers are enrolled in the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System (OPPRS).

• Full retirement is available after 20 years of service, regardless of age.

• At 20 years, officers receive 50% of their base pay, with an additional 2.5% added for each year beyond 20, up to a maximum of 75% at 30 years.

• Officers are considered vested after 10 years of service. Vested officers may leave employment and receive 25% of base pay, but only after reaching 20 years of service or age 50—whichever is later.

This system provides a stable, predictable pension with guaranteed benefits after 20 years of dedicated service.