NCJ Number
52977
Journal
Schriftenreihe der Polizei-Fuehrungsakademie Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 313-326
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
REASONS FOR THE EMPHASIS ON SPORTS IN WEST GERMAN POLICE SERVICE AND METHODS FOR MOTIVATING BEGINNING POLICE OFFICERS TO ENGAGE IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
DESPITE STRICT REQUIREMENTS AND HIGH EXPENDITURES FOR SPORTS NEW RECRUITS FREQUENTLY SHOW LITTLE INTEREST. STUDIES INDICATE THAT SPORTS CONTRIBUTE TO EMOTIONAL STABILITY AND HIGH ENERGY LEVELS; THAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REDUCES STRESS BY RECHANNELING AGGRESSIONS, INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY, AND DECREASES THE FREQUENCY OF ILLNESS; AND THAT SPORTS ARE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN INTENSIFYING POLICE OFFICERS' SENSE OF COMPETENCE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. CENTRAL TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES ARE THE ROLES OF THE SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL WHO SET AN EXAMPLE EVEN WITH MODEST ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OF A MOTIVATED SPORTS DIRECTOR WHO HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE MANAGING OFFICIALS AND A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONAL STATUS. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CHANGING THE ATTITUDE OF POLICE OFFICERS TOWARDS SPORTS ARE THE SYSTEM MODIFICATION ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SITUATION, A CAMPAIGN TO MAKE OFFICERS AWARE OF THE NEED FOR SPORTS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACTIVITY PROGRAM; PREVENTION OF FEAR OF FAILURE THROUGH A STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING PROCESS; PROVISION OF A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES; SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A VARIETY OF AGE GROUPS; ENSURING PROGRAM SUCCESS WITH REINFORCEMENT ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL SUBJECTIVE VALUES (E.G., APPEARANCE); EMPHASIS ON CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWING THE PROGRAM AND PROOF OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE LEVEL OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. EFFECTIVENESS IS ALSO HEIGHTENED BY OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL CONTACT AND GROUP PARTICIPATION IN TEAM SPORTS AND BY STATUS SYMBOLS AWARDED FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SPORTS (E.G., THE BLACK BELT IN JUDO). --GERMAN. (KMD)