Police Agencies - Assignment Example

They enjoy 33 days off per year after 6 months, partially paid insurance, paid overtime, paid training, and uniforms. Illinois Conservation Police enjoy paid vacation days, sick days, personal days, and holidays; overtime compensation; uniforms, equipment, and vehicles; life and hospitalization insurance (http://dnr.state.il.us/law3/CAREERnew.htm). Starting salary is $3127/month; after a one year CPO certification the salary increases to $4136/month with an excellent retirement/pension plan. Illinois State Troopers start at $48,192 per year but require advanced training to apply (www.isp.state.il.us).

FBI Agents start at about $45,000 per year and can make as much as $120,251 after twenty years (http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=FBI_Agent/Salary). There seem to be certain disparities in pay between agencies. For example, note that the city police make far less than the most of the other agencies. State troopers and university police start higher than FBI agents. Perhaps, there should be a more even-handed way of paying police such that there is a logical progression from traditionally entry-level agencies such as the university police to more experienced agencies such as the city police to the more professional agencies such as state troopers and the FBI.

After all, law enforcement is still one of the most stressful jobs as noted in "On-the-Job-Stress in Policing-Reducing It, Preventing It." Violence, suffering, and death are part of the law enforcement profession. As a result of exposure to these experiences, officers often become cynical, suspicious, and aggressiveness. They may experience substance abuse or family problems. Peer support and referrals from specially trained police officers are often helpful in combating these problems.We have researched some of the salaries and benefits of six law enforcement agencies that serve Northern Illinois.

They are Northern Illinois University (NIU) Police, DeKalb City Police, DeKalb County Sherriff's Deputies, Illinois Conservation Police, Illinois State Troopers, and United States Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents. We also have commented on some of the difficulties of work in law enforcement.