ANNAPOLIS -- The Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved a pay increase of approximately $10,000 yesterday for state police Supt. Larry W. Tolliver. The superintendent currently receives $82,046 a year. As of tomorrow, the salary will rise to $92,912.

The board's decision was prompted by legislation this year that raised the superintendent's status from an agency head to that of a Cabinet secretary reporting directly to the governor. The bill was designed to give the state police greater political clout, especially when lobbying for funds during the state budget process.

Because of the legislation, Colonel Tolliver was in line for some type of raise, the governor's office said yesterday. Under a payment plan passed by the Maryland legislature in 1989, Cabinet secretaries receive a minimum of $87,578.

The pay increase comes as the state police are conducting an internal investigation into the undercover operation that culminated in January's raid of The Block in Baltimore. Following the raid, allegations of sexual impropriety surfaced regarding three state police officers.