282 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations
Exercise 9.2: Are There Too Few Troopers for Safety?
Two Florida state troopers are responsible for covering a two - thousand -
square - mile county. Florida law enforcement officials and lawmakers
have long disagreed over highway patrol staffi ng levels. Florida has about
1,600 troopers and 150 vacancies. Ten years ago, the highway patrol had
1,740 troopers. In some areas of the state, it is common for one trooper to
cover two or three counties during overnight shifts. Crash victims in those
areas can wait more than an hour for assistance.
A study conducted more than ten years ago found that Florida needed
to add 500 troopers to keep pace with the state ’ s growth.
One lawmaker who sits on the Florida House Policy and Budget Com-
mittee wants to hire more state troopers and increase their pay. Troopers
generally earn eight to fi fteen thousand dollars less than police offi cers and
sheriff deputies.
The Florida State Highway Patrol has become a training ground for
individuals looking to get into law enforcement, but then they leave for city
or county law enforcement agencies that pay higher salaries.Question
- If you were hired to be the director of HRM for the Florida Highway
Patrol, knowing that there is a trooper shortage and the salary for state
troopers is below what city and county law enforcement agencies pay,
what strategic compensation strategies would you develop to recruit,
motivate, and retain patrol offi c e r s?
Source: Helgeson (2008).