NCJ Number
7723
Date Published
1972
Length
329 pages
Annotation
NATURE AND EXTENT OF SELECTED CHANGES IN ROLE CONCEPTS AS THEY OCCURRED OVER A 21 MONTH PERIOD FOR A GROUP OF 113 POLICE RECRUITS IN FOUR CITIES.
Abstract
THE RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN PLACED UPON THE POLICE HAVE INCREASED GREATLY OVER THE YEARS. AT TIMES, THE ROLES THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PLAY ARE CONTRADICTORY, GIVING RISE TO ROLE CONFLICT, A SOURCE OF CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION FOR THE INDIVIDUALS CAUGHT IN SUCH SITUATIONS. QUESTIONNAIRES, INFORMATION FORMS, AND PERSONALITY TESTS WERE UTILIZED IN OBTAINING RELEVANT DATA. THE DIMENSIONS OF THE INVESTIGATION INCLUDED THE RECRUITS' RESIDENTIAL BACKGROUNDS, FRIENDSHIP PATTERNS, INTRA-DEPARTMENTAL ASPIRATIONS, PERSONALITY, PERCEIVED ROLE CONFLICT, PERCEPTION OF REFERENCE GROUPS, CONCEPTION OF THE POLICE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES, PERCEPTION OF DANGER, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD THEIR ROLE. THE AUTHOR PROVIDES AN IN-DEPTH EXAMINATION OF EACH FACTOR IN TURN, EXPLORING POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY SOME DIMENSIONS CHANGED OVER TIME WHILE OTHERS REMAINED THE SAME. NUMEROUS CHARTS AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED AS SUPPLEMENTS TO THE DISCUSSIONS. THE REPORT WAS PREPARED PRIMARILY TO HELP POLICE UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES AND AVOIDS OVERLY TECHNICAL LANGUAGE. (SNI ABSTRACT)