U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

ADVANCE FOR RELEASE AT 5 P.M. EDT         BJS
SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1996            202/307-0784

INCREASE SEEN IN NUMBER OF BLACKS, HISPANICS AND
WOMEN IN NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Local police departments
are continuing to add blacks, Hispanics and women
to their ranks and improve educational
requirements for entrants, according to a report
released today by the Department of Justice.

     As of June 30, 1993, blacks accounted for
11.3 percent of the sworn police officers in city
and county law enforcement agencies, compared to
10.5 percent in 1990 and 9.3 percent in 1987.

     The percentage of Hispanic officers was 6.2
percent in 1993, up from 5.2 percent in 1990 and
4.5 percent in 1987.

     Women comprised 8.8 percent of local police
officers in 1993, compared to 8.1 percent in 1990
and 7.6 percent in 1987.

     Twelve percent of local departments required
officer  recruits to have at least some college
education in 1993, double the rate in 1990.  Eight
percent had some type of degree requirement, and 1
percent required a four-year degree in 1993.

     The data are from a report describing the
characteristics of the more than 12,000 county and
municipal police departments in the United States. 
As of June 30, 1993, these departments had an
estimated 474,072 full-time employees (up 3
percent from 1990), among whom were 373,554 sworn
personnel.  Approximately 230,000 were uniformed
officers whose regularly assigned duties included
responding to service calls.  The report also
noted:

     --About 80 percent of U.S. residents were
served by a local police department.  The
remainder relied on sheriffs' departments or state
police.  There were about 21 full-time local
police officers for every 10,000 residents served.
      
     --Sixty-eight percent of local police
departments participated in a 911 emergency
telephone system in 1993, and 41 percent had an
enhanced 911 system.

     --Two-thirds of the departments used
computers during 1993, compared to one-half in
1990.  The computers are used for management
functions, such as record keeping, budgeting and
manpower allocations, as well as for information
on arrests, traffic citations, stolen property,
warrants and criminal histories. 

     --For fiscal year 1993 local departments had
total operating expenditures of $24.3 billion--6
percent more than in fiscal year 1990 after
adjusting for inflation.

     --In addition to their law enforcement
duties, 49 percent of the departments performed
animal control functions and 20 percent were
involved in emergency medical services.

     --Eighty-four percent of the departments
authorized their regular field officers to use
semiautomatic sidearms in 1993, up from 73 percent
in 1990.

     --One-third of all departments, including 42
percent of those serving a population of 1 million
or more, required all regular field officers to
wear body armor while on duty. 

     Almost all departments authorized the use of
one or more  types of nonlethal weapons. 
Three-fourths of them authorized the use of
chemical agents.  Pepper spray was the most
common--59 percent.

     Data for the report were collected from a
representative national sample consisting of more
than 3,000 local law enforcement agencies.

     The report, "Local Police Departments, 1993"
(NCJ-148822), written by BJS statistician Brian
Reaves, is available on the Internet at:
  
          http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
  
     Printed copies may be obtained from the BJS
Clearinghouse, Box 179, Annapolis Junction,
Maryland 20701-0179.  The telephone number is
1-800/732-3277.  Fax orders to 410/792-4358.

After hours contact:  Stu Smith at 301/983-9354

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