Quinn Bill

The Quinn Bill, more formally known as the Police Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP), was enacted by the Massachusetts legislature in 1970 in an effort to encourage police officers to earn degrees in criminal justice. At the time, studies showed that the criminal justice system would greatly benefit by having more police officers with advanced degrees in the field. Participant incentives came in the form of percentage increases to their base pay depending on the degree earned: 10 percent for an associate’s degree, 20 percent for a bachelor's degree and 25 percent for either a master's degree or a law degree.

Salem State's criminal justice program is Quinn Bill-certified by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. As a result, students graduating from our program are eligible for the pay incentives outlined in the PCIPP.