ENCOURAGED BY LAWS THAT PERMIT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO UNIONIZE AND PARTICIPATE IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, POLICE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE DEMANDED THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE WAGES, WORKING HOURS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS AND HAVE CHALLENGED TRADITIONS OF CIVIL SERVICE AND LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OVER THE TERMS OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT. AS OF 1976, 54.7 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WORKING IN LOCAL AND COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE IN SOME FORM OF UNION OR LOCAL ASSOCIATION. THE FIGURE FOR STATE POLICE EMPLOYEES WAS 51.8 PERCENT. THERE IS NO SINGLE POLICE UNION IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ADDRESSES THE EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS OF POLICE AND OTHER PUBLIC ISSUES. IN SOME CITIES, POLICE HAVE TRIED TO ENHANCE THEIR FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS IN ORDER TO GAIN SATISFACTION AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. THERE ARE FOUR NATIONAL LABOR UNIONS THAT HAVE POLICE AFFILIATES AND A SUBSTANTIAL POLICE MEMBERSHIP: INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS; AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES; SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION; AND INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF POLICE OFFICERS. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN UNION DEVELOPMENT AND POLICE UNIONISM ARE REVIEWED. (DEP)