PERSONS DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH PLANS THAT PROVIDE INCREASED OR SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR POLICE OFFICERS WHO COMPLETE CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FIND THAT THESE PROGRAMS WORK WELL. EXPERIENCE IN THE THREE STATES CONTACTED INDICATES THAT VOLUNTARY, STATE-SHARED INCENTIVE PLANS MEET WITH LESS OPPOSITION THAN MANDATORY ONES IN WHICH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MUST BEAR THE TOTAL COST. IN THESE STATES, ALL CREDITS CLAIMED FOR INCENTIVE PAYMENT MUST BE EARNED AT AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SHOULD BE IN POLICE-RELATED FIELDS. PAYMENTS SHOULD ALSO NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER AN OFFICER HAS COMPLETED A FULL YEAR WITH THE DEPARTMENT. REPLIES FROM 38 INDEPTH QUESTIONNAIRES SENT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CHIEFS OF POLICE, AND LEADERS OF POLICE UNIONS IN CITIES IN MICHIGAN SHOW THAT STRONG SUPPORT EXISTS FOR SUCH A PLAN. FINALLY, AN OUTLINE FOR A PLAN THAT REFLECTS THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE SURVEY IS PRESENTED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES, COPIES OF THE LAWS ESTABLISHING INCENTIVE PAY PLANS IN FLORIDA, KENTUCKY, AND MASSACHUSETTS, A PARTIAL LISTING OF MICHIGAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITH INCENTIVE PAY PLANS, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (GLR)