The study used futures research techniques together with interviews with health care providers and a telephone survey of police and sheriff's departments in California. The analysis indicated that the most important step that California law enforcement agencies can take is to develop a comprehensive education and training program for the handling of people who have AIDS. Training should begin at the basic cadet level and should continue through advanced officer training and inservice programs. Any education program needs to cover the medical, legal, and psychological dimensions of AIDS. Both management and employees should receive training. Law enforcement agencies should also adopt policies requiring both the use of safety equipment by officers and care for people with AIDS. A transition management plan for the adoption of these policies, figures, tables, and appended methodological information are included. (Author abstract modified)