In the last edition of The Records Room the importance of quality control in police records management operations was described including the logic behind why it's so important today.  The response to that article was phenomenal.  What it didn't discuss was that today's increased expectations and focus on producing accurate, error-free and accessible documentation comes with an increase in pay, at least it should. 

In our seminars we ask the attendees by show of hands how many agencies are understaffed in records and everyone always raises their hands.  So two points need to be made here. 

First, if you've lost staff then who's left is doing more work.  Second, old school records management is over.  Today, records personnel are responsible for complex public records and UCR compliance, utilization of modern information management systems and ensuring records and data are thoroughly reviewed.  

I have included herein a job analysis and salary recommendation document from a large police agency for police records personnel.  It describes today's RM responsibilities and job classifications for this particular agency and can be used as a guide to provide you with insight into what the job entails and should be paid.  In the interest of not having this agency overwhelmed with phone calls and questions I have redacted the document but nonetheless, it's a good read.