When police officers receive per diem
Training academies, out-of-town court, mutual aid, federal task forces, and other trips away from your duty station.
Common trips that trigger per diem
Law enforcement travelers often receive per diem when they are away from their regular duty station overnight for official business, including:
- Regional or state police academies and in-service training
- Out-of-town court testimony or extradition travel
- Mutual aid, disaster deployment, or multi-jurisdiction details
- Federal task force or grant-funded assignments with federal travel rules
What per diem usually covers
Lodging is reimbursed per night (policy may exclude the last night if you return home the same calendar day). M&IE covers meals and incidental expenses for each day away. Actual-expense travel with receipts is a separate policy path—your travel order should say which applies.
Using the calculator
Enter the training, court, or assignment ZIP, trip dates, and optional department nightly lodging and daily M&IE to see GSA totals and any over-cap gap.
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More for law enforcement travel
Planning aid only · Not tax, payroll, or legal advice · Methodology