Local Police Salaries in Romania: Comparative Analysis 2019–2022

Summary

Romania’s Local Police employs about 15,000 nationwide, serving Bucharest’s 3.5 million residents.
It operates across Bucharest’s 228 km², ensuring order and safety.
2020 salary controversy: minister claimed Local Police nearly doubled National Police; data disputed.
Timisoara salaries: most officers earn 2,000–4,000 RON; leadership 6,054–7,435 RON.

The Local Police represents a fundamental institution in maintaining order and public safety at the local level, with over 15,000 staff nationwide. While discussions about the salaries of these public officials frequently generate controversy, official data provide a clear view of the real earnings in this field.

Local Police - role and responsibilities of the institution According to information published on the Local Police of Bucharest Municipality website, the institution operates across the entire capital’s territory, covering an area of 228 km², ensuring order and public quiet for approximately 3.5 million people, including residents, tourists and occasional visitors.

Established as the General Directorate of Local Police and Control, a local-interest public institution with legal personality under the subordination of the General Mayor, its activity is based on the following principles: legality, trust, predictability, proximity, proportionality, openness and transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, responsibility, impartiality and non-discrimination.

Areas of competence

Public order and peace, as well as safeguarding of property
Traffic on public roads
Construction discipline
Street postings
Environmental protection
Commercial activity
Population registry
Other areas defined by normative and administrative acts

Strategic objectives

Ensuring safety and public order in the city’s area of responsibility
Guarding the objects and locations owned or managed by the Bucharest City Hall
Organizing ongoing activities to ensure compliance with the law, General Council resolutions, and the Mayor’s dispositions
Continuous improvement of the quality of the police-specific public service in support of citizens

Salary controversy 2020 - statement by the Minister of Internal Affairs In May 2020, the Minister of Internal Affairs publicly stated that there are significant salary differences between Local Police and National Police, claiming Local Police employees would benefit from salaries almost double those of colleagues in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Response from Timisoara Local Police As a response to these statements, Timisoara Local Police published transparently the list of the real salaries of personnel under its subordination, for the year 2020. Official data dispel the claims of “+double” salaries and show the following situation:

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Salaries of execution positions:

2,000-3,000 RON/month (net) - 93 local police officers
3,000-4,000 RON/month (net) - 132 local police officers
4,000-5,000 RON/month (net) - 33 local police officers

Salaries of leadership positions:

6,054 RON/month (net) - office chief
6,582 RON/month (net) - service chief
7,032 RON/month (net) - deputy executive director
7,435 RON/month (net) - executive director

These figures show that the majority of local police officers in Timisoara (88%) earn under 4,000 RON net per month, a sum that contradicts the claims of “double” salaries compared to the National Police.

Evolution of salaries at Bucharest Local Police 2019-2020 According to data published by the central press and confirmed by official sources, salaries of Bucharest local police officers rose in 2020 compared with 2019:

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Upper management positions:

General Director: from 16,298 RON gross (2019) to 18,148 RON gross (March 2020)
General Director adjunct and Executive Director: from 16,497 RON gross (2019) to 17,687 RON gross (March 2020)
Service chiefs: from 12,193 RON gross (2019) to 13,842 RON gross (March 2020)

Execution and operational roles:

Local police officers: from 3,509-9,899 RON gross (2019) to a maximum of 8,196 RON gross (2020)
Drivers: from 3,817 RON gross (2019) to 4,093 RON gross (March 2020)

It is important to note that salaries for execution officers were capped in 2020, meaning the maximum decreased from 9,899 RON to 8,196 RON gross.

Salaries in 2022 - official data Sector 6 Bucharest According to information published by the General Directorate of Local Police Sector 6 Bucharest in March 2022, the updated salary structure includes:

Sursa foto: https://www.politia6.ro/files/upload-dir/1278-transparenta-veniturilor-2022--martie.pdf

These official data provide full transparency on the institution’s salary earnings, demonstrating commitment to openness and public accountability.

Local Police recruitment conditions For those interested in a career in Local Police, the Voluntari Local Police Directorate publishes the mandatory requirements for applicants:

Educational requirements and documentation

Completed high school with a high school diploma (legalized copy)
Copy of ID card
Copy of birth certificate, marriage certificate, and children’s birth certificates (where applicable)
Updated curriculum vitae
Copy of employment record
Recommendation from the last employer

Physical and medical requirements

Minimum height: men 1.75 m, women 1.70 m
Presentable appearance
Health status compatible with a public function, certified by a specialized medical examination

Legal requirements and skills

Clean judicial record with no convictions for crimes against humanity, the state or authority, on duty, against the administration of justice, falsification, corruption or intentional crimes (except rehabilitation)
Possession of a driving license
Ability to work in a team and on the ground
Availability for extended shifts, working on legal holidays and under stressful conditions

Recruitment process Candidates who meet these criteria undergo a selection process including:

Document verification and meeting minimum conditions
Comprehensive medical examination
Physical aptitude tests
Competency assessment interview
Security and integrity checks

Perspectives and conclusions An analysis of official data from 2019-2022 reveals a nuanced picture of Local Police remuneration in Romania. Although there are significant variations between different localities and roles, the majority of execution-level local police officers earn between 2,000 and 5,000 RON net per month.

Salary differences between Local Police and National Police exist but are not as large as claimed in some public statements. Moreover, local police operate under the authority of local administrations, with budgets and financial possibilities different from central MAI structures.

Increased transparency in salary data contributes to a better understanding of the system’s realities and fosters an informed public debate on human resources policies in local public safety services.