Questionnaires administered to four successive groups of new police recruits during 1973 and 1974 included items to measure demographic variables, professionalism, and achievement needs. During 1981, 79 of these individuals retook Hall's professionalism scale and completed questionnaires on marital status, work experience, promotion, salary, education, and training. Of this cohort, 65 percent were married, 70 percent were white, 95 percent were male, and 69 percent had remained in the criminal justice system. While 20 persons had earned a bachelor's degree, 59 had at least an associate's degree. Analysis showed that individuals with bachelor's degrees made significantly higher salaries than those with associate degrees, and academy rank was the strongest predictor of salary. However, those with more education were not promoted to supervisory rank with any greater frequency than those without an academic degree. Race was not a determinant of career success. The 1973 professionalism score was a positive predictor of 1981 salary for resignees, but this relationship was reversed for those remaining in law enforcement. Moreover, those staying in law enforcement were significantly less professional by 1981 than those leaving the field. The amount of training contributed weakly to salary. Path analysis suggested that determinants of law enforcement professionalism included achievement need, internalized professional values and norms, training, education, and age. Tables, charts, and over 70 references are supplied.