THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS STUDY IS THE PRODUCT OF SURVEY DATA SUBMITTED BY 60 PERCENT OF ALL COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE COUNTRY -- 1,893 SHERIFFS, 28 COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND 19 INDEPENDENT CITY SHERIFFS. AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY MANDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF IS FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSIONS OF PERSONNEL, BUDGETS, FACILITIES, RECORDS, DATA PROCESSING, AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES, PATROL, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, SPECIALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS, TRAFFIC, SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION, LABORATORY SERVICES, COMMUNICATIONS, JAILS AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, AND THE INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF PRISONERS. AN OVERVIEW IS PROVIDED OF THE NEEDS OF COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: BUDGETS, PERSONNEL, SALARIES, RECORDKEEPING, AND CORRECTIONS. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED.