West Virginia ranks second in worst job hazards and protections but fourth in best quality of life for law enforcement officials. Because of this, the mountain state is named the 11th worst state to be a police officer, according to Wallet Hub.
Below is a map of Wallet Hub’s 2019 Best and Worst States to Be a Police Officer (1=best, 51=worst).
Scroll over the map to see each state’s ranking.
The job hazards and protections category is measured by police protection laws like misconduct confidentiality and body camera legislation as well as crime rates, homicide cases solved, number of 911 calls and police deaths. In addition, West Virginia is listed as third worst in terms of state and local police protection expenses per capita.
On the other hand, West Virginia ranks high in the quality of life category, which takes into account housing affordability, family friendliness, and public image of law enforcement.