Fire, Police Chiefs' Salaries Beat Governors'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The salaries of many of the police and fire chiefs in the Washington region outpace the earnings of their states' governors.
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.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
