The mission of the Airport Unit at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is to provide law enforcement services to the airport community through cooperative effort with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure a safe and secure environment for the traveling public.
The Airport Unit provides protection 24-hour/7-days-a-week through an on-site staff of airport certified police officers. Officers work closely with members of the airport staff and TSA supporting the Airport Security Program and TSA security requirements. The Airport Unit is supported by the Mesa Police Department's explosive detection canines, explosive technicians and the Phoenix Police Department Sky Harbor Bureau.
Officers of the Airport Unit receive specialized training to ensure federal aviation-related certifications and standards are maintained. Officers work closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI/JTTF) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate and enforce crimes/incidents that occur onboard an aircraft in flight.
In addition to the benefits offered by the Mesa PD, our police officers and civilian employees receive the same benefits as all Mesa employees.
Mesa is offering lifetime medical benefits for all eligible full-time employees. Access to lifetime medical insurance coverage adds to Mesa's already competitive salaries and benefits package, allowing us to recruit and retain talented employees who want to build a career in the public sector.
As with current employees, Mesa covers 80% of eligible retirees' insurance premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage. To be eligible for this benefit an employee must work for the City of Mesa for 20 years prior to retirement and 10 years must be consecutive.
Please refer to the Health Plan Document found on the Employee Benefits page.
Estimated cost savings:
- Over $400,000 in health insurance during a 30-year period after retirement.
- Pre-65 Retiree will save over $21,000 annually for up to 15 years in health insurance.
- 65+ Retiree will continue to save $90,000 over 20 years in health insurance.
- Only Arizona-based agency to offer this unique benefit.
- Reference documents: AZASRS budgeting & Mesa COBRA costs
Mesa PD is the only Arizona-based agency to offer this unique benefit.
Mesa Police Officers starting pay is $66,940 annually or $32.18 per hour. Topped out officers will make $94,436 annually or $45.40 per hour.
Eligible City of Mesa employees enjoy eleven (11) paid holidays each year. The holidays observed are:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Thanksgiving Day After
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
A holiday premium of one and one-half (1½) times the employee's effective hourly rate of pay will be paid for time worked on a holiday.
Shift Differential Pay is $1.75 per hour. Officers can earn up to $3,640 per year for Shift Differential.
Officers required to be available for immediate emergency call out shall be compensated one hour of standby pay for a regular scheduled workday and two hours of standby pay for a nonscheduled workday. In the event the employee is called out, they shall be paid a minimum of two hours work or the actual time worked if greater than two hours.
Eligible officers on standby and called out will be compensated at the overtime rate for the call-out.
Overtime compensation will be paid at one and one-half (1-1/2) times the employee’s regular rate of pay. Compensation time off can also be earned at one and one-half (1-1/2) times per an employee’s hour(s) worked.
Officers receive 5% of their hourly rate for Special Assignment Pay. This pertains to certain positions such as: Internal Affairs, Field Training Officer, Public Information Officer, and Range Staff.
Case Carrying Detectives can earn up to $2,204.80 (2.5% of their hourly rate) per year.
Patrol Officers can earn up to $1,500 per year for Patrol Incentive Pay.
Police Jiu-Jitsu Incentive up to 20 hours per year which equates to approximately $725.60 per year (based on mid-range officer pay).
Fitness Incentive up to 20 hours per year which equates to approximately $725.60 per year (based on mid-range officer pay).
Field Training Officer (FTO) pay is 5% of the officer’s regular hourly rate.
Uniform allowance for officers is $1,200 per year.
Officers receive up to $1,200 to purchase their initial vest and $1,200 every 5 years to purchase a replacement vest in addition to the annual uniform allowance.
Officers receive up to $2,400.00 per year. Basic certification is paid $50.00 biweekly. Intermediate certification is paid $100.00 biweekly.
Employees in the military reserves will be compensated 300 hours of paid leave every two consecutive military fiscal years to continue to participate in military drills and deployment.
This program provides a benefit at retirement based upon years of service and the employee’s highest years of compensation while in the system. Eligibility and benefit calculations are dependent on the officer’s hire date.
FTOs receive special assignment pay as deemed appropriate by the Assistant Chief. Currently FTO pay is 5% of the officer’s regular hourly rate.
Eligible employees are reimbursed for college tuition up to $8,124.00 annually.
Police Officer Recruits hired with a bachelor’s degree will receive a $500 incentive upon completion of the field training officer program. Police Officer Recruits hired with a master’s degree will receive a $1,000 incentive upon completion of the field training officer program.
Police Officers work 4 days a week for 10 hours each shift.
Officers receive 20 hours of discretionary or personal leave time each year.
Officers can also earn up to 40 hours of paid time off for the physical fitness and Jiu-Jitsu incentives.
Officers receive up to 96 sick hours per calendar year which equates up to $725.60 per year (based on mid-range officer pay).
Officers receive 96 hours of vacation time during the first two years and 144 hours of vacation per calendar year after that.