NCJ Number
55544
Journal
Journal of Security Administration Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 36-43
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENT INTERNS TO UPGRADE THE SECURITY OFFICER ROLE IS DISCUSSED. A SECURITY OPERATION USING STUDENTS IN HOUSTON, TEX., IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE SECURITY OFFICER IS STILL VIEWED AS A JANITOR WITH A BADGE, AND HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS RECEIVING LITTLE TRAINING, LOW SALARIES, AND LITTLE PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY. GIVEN THE FACT OF A HIGH TURNOVER RATE AND MARGINAL PERSONNEL BOTH OF WHICH COMBINE TO PRODUCE INEFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE, A CALL FOR NEEDED CHANGE IS MADE TO UTILIZE CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS WHO ARE SEEN AS HIGHLY MOTIVATED AND GENERALLY IN NEED OF FINANCIAL AID. PAST RESEARCH IN MOTIVATION INDICATES THAT THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF EMPLOYMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE MOTIVATION OF PERSONNEL, INCREASE RECRUITMENT POTENTIAL, AND PRODUCTIVITY. THE FIRST IS A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT STYLE WHICH SHIFTS EMPHASIS FROM SUPERVISION OF PROCESSES TO SUPERVISION OF GOAL ATTAINMENT; THE SECOND IS PARTICIPANT MANAGEMENT WHICH GIVES EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS, AND THE THIRD IS JOB ENRICHMENT WHICH IS THOUGHT TO OCCUR WHEN RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPLEXITY ARE INCREASED. THE CREATION OF AN INTERN PROGRAM IN WHICH STUDENTS PARTICIPATE FOR CREDIT IN SECURITY OPERATIONS IS DESCRIBED. THE SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY AND A SECURITY PROTECTION SERVICE ARE WORKING TOGETHER IN A PROGRAM THAT BENEFITS BOTH THE STUDENTS AND THE SECURITY OPERATION. SUPERVISORY POSITIONS ARE STAFFED EXCLUSIVELY WITH COLLEGE GRADUATES, AND SECURITY OFFICER POSITIONS ARE STAFFED EXCLUSIVELY WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE STILL OBSTACLES THAT COULD PROHIBIT SUCCESSFUL SECURITY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS ARE VIEWED AS A MEANS OF BREAKING THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF INEFFECTIVE SECURITY OFFICE PERFORMANCE. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (MLC)