13 Passive Income Ideas For Police Officers [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in earning passive income as a police officer in 2024?

We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a police officer today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.

For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a police officer.

Here's the full list:

1. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog could be a great way for you as a police officer to earn extra income and share your unique experiences. You might choose a niche like crime prevention tips, self-defense techniques, or community safety, offering valuable insights based on your expertise. By creating articles, how-to guides, and video content, you could build a dedicated audience interested in your specialized knowledge.

To make money from your blog, you could include affiliate links for relevant products, collaborate with brands, or monetize through advertising. As your blog grows, you might even get opportunities to speak at events or write sponsored posts. Passion and consistent effort will help you engage followers and succeed in this new venture.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.

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2. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)

As a police officer, you could supplement your income by creating and selling online courses based on your expertise and interests. Whether it's self-defense techniques, law enforcement procedures, or even personal hobbies like fitness or cooking, you have valuable skills that others are willing to learn. People from various backgrounds are making money creating courses and selling them online.

You could turn these skills into a source of passive income by launching online classes tailored to your target audience. By choosing the right online learning platform and creating compelling content, your course could generate income while requiring minimal effort after the initial setup. With the e-learning market projected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, there's significant potential for financial reward.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

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3. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you to supplement your income as a police officer. You could share your expertise on topics ranging from public safety to real-life insights into daily police work. Your unique perspective can attract viewers interested in law enforcement, helping you earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.

Developing a successful channel does require some effort, such as planning content and consistently engaging with your audience. However, with time and dedication, the financial rewards and personal fulfillment can be significant. If you enjoy creating videos and have a passion for sharing your knowledge, this could be a worthwhile endeavor.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

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4. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)

As a police officer, starting a podcast could be a unique way to supplement your income and share valuable insights. You could discuss topics related to law enforcement, community safety, or personal experiences on the job, appealing to both civilians and fellow officers. By choosing a topic you're passionate about and using basic recording equipment, you could create engaging content that resonates with a wide audience.

Publishing your episodes on a hosting platform and promoting them through social media and online communities could help you grow your listener base. Over time, with a larger audience, there might be opportunities to attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your podcast into a source of passive income. Sharing your expertise and experiences in this format could not only earn you extra money but also contribute to public knowledge and awareness about policing.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

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5. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)

Starting a stock photography business could be a great way for a police officer to earn passive income while leveraging their unique experiences and daily encounters. As a police officer, you often witness intriguing scenarios and locations that most people don't see, providing you with a wealth of unique photo opportunities. By capturing these moments and uploading them to stock photography websites, you could build an impressive portfolio that attracts clients looking for authentic and diverse images for their marketing materials.

To get started, you could invest in some good photography gear and spend a bit of time learning how to take high-quality stock photos. With an excellent online presence, your stock photos could be sold faster and at more profitable margins, adding a steady stream of supplemental income to your primary earnings. This not only allows you to maximize your free time creatively but also offers a practical way to diversify your income sources in a sustainable manner.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A Commercial Product Photography Business

Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.

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6. Print on demand business ($411K/month)

As a police officer, starting a print-on-demand business could be a practical way to supplement your income without taking up too much of your valuable time. This type of side hustle involves creating custom designs for products like t-shirts, phone cases, and home goods, which are then printed and shipped by a third-party service. You don't have to worry about inventory or shipping, allowing you to focus on your primary job.

You could leverage online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to sell your designs, reaching a global audience without leaving your home. With minimal startup costs and the ability to run the business in your spare time, a print-on-demand operation offers a flexible way to turn your creativity into extra cash. This makes it easier to balance your demanding job with entrepreneurial ambitions.

How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $330K/Month Ecommerce Specialized In 3D Printing

Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.

Read by 29,927 founders

7. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)

As a police officer, you could supplement your income by starting a niche website focused on a subject you're passionate and knowledgeable about. This could be anything from crime prevention tips, self-defense techniques, or insights into law enforcement careers. By creating compelling content and driving traffic to your site, you could build a dedicated audience over time.

Once your website is established, it offers various ways to generate passive income, such as through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or even selling digital products like e-books or online courses. Though it takes some initial effort in research, content creation, and SEO, a niche website can eventually become a reliable source of extra money. If you have a specific interest and the drive to dive deep, starting a niche website could be both a rewarding and profitable venture.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

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8. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)

As a police officer, you likely understand the importance of maintaining physical and mental health to handle the demands of your job. Creating a health and wellness app could help you and others achieve fitness goals, follow nutrition plans, and manage stress. Your experience in maintaining personal fitness could provide valuable insights, making the app more relatable and effective for others with similar lifestyles.

By developing a health and wellness app, you could offer users a virtual coach that provides personalized fitness routines, meal plans, and mental well-being exercises. This could also generate a steady stream of passive income, especially if you ensure it offers real value and market it well. Engaging with health experts and investing in user-friendly app development will help create a platform that resonates with many people looking to improve their well-being.

How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

I Created A $2.7M/Year Software That Extends People's Lives By Analyzing Their DNA

Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.

Read by 8,532 founders

9. Make passive income with a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)

Starting a real estate investment firm could be a compelling way for a police officer to supplement their income and build long-term wealth through property. This venture involves buying, managing, and selling real estate assets to make a profit. By scouting for lucrative properties, negotiating deals, handling renovations, and managing rentals or sales, you could create a steady income stream alongside your primary job.

The potential for financial gain in real estate is significant, with properties appreciating over time and rental income providing consistent cash flow. As someone used to detail-oriented work, you could successfully navigate the intricacies of the real estate market by conducting thorough research and strategic planning. With dedication and a passion for identifying valuable properties, you could make real estate investment a rewarding business endeavor, offering both financial stability and growth opportunities.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)

How We Started A $40M Real Estate Investment Fund

Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.

Read by 13,263 founders

10. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

If you're a police officer looking to supplement your income, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a practical option. Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services offered by other companies, and you receive a commission for each sale made through your referral. Over time, this can become a reliable source of passive income without requiring a significant time commitment.

You could begin by learning how to find the right products and brands to partner with. For instance, you might choose to become an affiliate for an eCommerce store or a manufacturer whose products align with your interests or values. With dedication and smart choices, your affiliate marketing efforts could pay off handsomely in the long term.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

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11. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

Creating a mobile app could be a smart move for a police officer looking to supplement their income. If you have a brilliant idea that could help solve a problem or entertain people, developing an app is more feasible than you might think. With basic coding knowledge or by hiring a developer, you could turn your concept into a working app.

The initial steps would involve planning the user experience, designing engaging interfaces, and testing the app to ensure it works smoothly. Once your app is ready, effective marketing could attract users and drive downloads. Given the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, a well-designed app has the potential to gain significant traction and generate substantial revenue.

How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.

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12. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)

As a police officer, you could start a subscription box business based on your interests or expertise, offering a reliable supplemental income. Subscription boxes are popular because they deliver niche products to customers every month, and their consistent demand could provide a stable, passive income stream.

You could use your organizational skills and dedication to detail in running the business. By choosing a niche and offering quality products, you could build a loyal customer base. With a focus on good design and effective marketing, your subscription box service could grow steadily over time.

How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A Gift Box Business For Non Traditional Brides

Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.

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13. Make passive income with a photography blog ($10.1K/month)

Starting a photography blog could be a great way for police officers to supplement their income by sharing their passion for photography. You could use the blog to showcase your photos, write tutorials, share gear reviews, and provide behind-the-scenes stories that resonate with other photography enthusiasts.

By creating high-quality content and building an online presence through social media, you could establish yourself as an authority in the photography community. Over time, you could monetize the blog through ads, sponsorships, or even offering paid services like ebooks or photography courses. With dedication and creativity, a photography blog could provide a rewarding way to earn passive income while pursuing your passion.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $27,400/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A Digital Camera Reviews Website That Has 1.3 Million Unique Monthly Visitors

A software engineer turned founder started a digital camera review website as a side-hustle which turned into a successful online publication with up to 1.3 million unique monthly visitors, generating around $1,000 per month, attracting visitors through guest posts, focusing on desirable quality content, and through answering popular questions on Stack Exchange, providing helpful advice for other entrepreneurs.

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.