NCJ Number
72050
Date Published
1970
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This booklet discusses information on police salaries and training programs in Kentucky as of 1968 and 1969, proposals for an improved salary schedule, and other States' salary scales and programs.
Abstract
In April 1969, a police task force, made up of representatives from 15 urban and rural Kentucky police departments, cited inadequate salaries as the major reason for low morale, difficulty in recruiting high quality officers, a high rate of moonlighting, and a large personnel turnover in Kentucky's law enforcement community. While median starting salaries for patrol officers across the country ranged from $4,920 to $5,834 in 1966, depending upon the size of the department, the pay for recruits in 340 Kentucky cities with populations under 20,000 persons averaged under $4,000 per year, and no fewer than 70 departments offered a maximum salary for patrol officers which was the same as recruit pay. The practice of relying exclusively on local communities for professional training and adequate compensation to their police has, on the whole, failed. The Kentucky Crime Commission concluded that higher salaries and improved training for local Kentucky police are imperatives, the State itself must accept financial and political responsibility for these dual objectives, and the State salary supplements must be substantial enough to improve significantly the local communities' police efforts. Also, the State agency appointed to administer the program must have the authority to enforce controls which will make the program effective at the local level. Tables and footnotes are included.