NCJ Number
112415
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Incentive plans for pay and/or education have proven successful in recruiting and retraining qualified career law enforcement personnel and improving the profession to meet ever-increasing demands.
Abstract
While widespread recognition and plans for incentive pay for Georgia peace officers began in the mid-1970's, efforts to establish such a system have proven unsuccessful. In 1985, legislation authorized a study of the impact of incentive pay on police training, education, and professionalism. This study focused on the program in Florida and the proposal of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). The Florida program, established in 1972, is funded by the State through sales tax on certain items and fines, allowing it to run without annual appropriations of general revenues. Over 37,000 officers have participated in the program. Prior to the program, less than 3 percent of personnel had any education beyond high school, while today at least 48 percent have attained at least a college degree. The POST proposal consists of several options addressing different needs. One option ties incentive pay to completion of the POST advanced certification program levels. Another option would tie pay to a point system based on specific levels of education, training, and experience. The study committee recommended adoption of this last option. Although legislative proposals to this end were brought before the 1986 Georgia General Assembly, no such proposals have yet been passed. 7 references.