NCJ Number
237712
Date Published
January 2012
Length
70 pages
Annotation
This U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) study reviewed the pay and retirement benefits of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and compared then to other Federal police forces in the District of Columbia (DC) metro area.
Abstract
The study found that the USCP generally has enhanced retirement benefits, a higher minimum starting salary, and a wider variety of protective duties than other Federal police forces in the DC metro area that were reviewed; however, it has similar employment requirements. USCP reported routinely having a wider variety of duties than most other forces. These duties ranged from routinely protecting members of Congress to protecting buildings. Even though USCP, Park Police, Supreme Court Police, and Secret Service Uniformed Division are Federal police forces, they provide enhanced retirement benefits similar to those offered by Federal law enforcement agencies that have additional investigative duties. USCP and the aforementioned three forces offered among the highest minimum entry-level salaries for law enforcement officers, ranging from $52,020 to $55,653, compared to the other six forces reviewed. USCP's attrition rate is generally lower than the majority of the Federal police forces included in this review. In 2010, the USCP Labor Committee presented six proposals that would improve the current USCP benefit structure. GAO's analysis shows that five of the six proposals would increase existing costs. The other proposal, which recommends that the USCP Board exercise its current authority to allow officers to remain voluntarily employed to age 60 rather than retire at age 57, as mandated, would have only a minimal impact on USCP costs; and it would increase officers' retirement income. 15 figures, 5 tables, and appended descriptions of objectives, scope, and methodology as well as comments from various stakeholder and supervisory agencies