Reports the results of a census, conducted every four years, of all State and local law enforcement agencies operating nationwide. The report provides the number of employees of State and local law enforcement agencies as of September 2004, including State-by-State data for sheriffs' offices, local police departments, State police and highway patrol agencies, and special jurisdiction police.

• In September 2004, 17,876 State and local law enforcement agencies with the equivalent of at least 1 full-time officer were operating in the U.S.
• From 2000 to 2004, full-time employment by State and local law enforcement agencies nationwide increased overall by 57,400 (or 5.6%).
• Although local police employment was up slightly nationwide from 2000 to 2004, 20 of the nations 50 largest local police departments saw a decline in sworn personnel during this period, including 6 of the 7 largest.