NCJ Number
203694
Date Published
2001
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of a survey that examined issues related to the education, training, and career-development needs of male and female sworn and nonsworn police personnel in five Australian police jurisdictions that encompassed both metropolitan and provincial/remote areas.
Abstract
The issues examined in the survey were barriers to professional education; level of interest in professional development courses; availability and timeliness of training opportunities; preferences for modes of training delivery; and residential requirements of training. Approximately 4,500 surveys were distributed. Sworn employees surveyed were of the ranks of senior sergeant and below, and the nonsworn employees were at comparable middle management levels and below. A total of 1,859 useable questionnaires were returned. Respondents included 566 sworn females and 623 sworn males, along with 310 nonsworn females and 360 nonsworn males. The survey found that work commitments, financial factors, and family commitments were the most significant barriers to continuing training and education for both sworn and nonsworn staff. Men and women, both sworn and nonsworn, were very interested in a range of courses. Although many of the training opportunities offered in the past were perceived as relevant, they were often viewed as untimely in meeting the training needs of personnel. Police agencies should also use a wider range of learning delivery modes, including distance education (favored by sworn staff in particular), which would give personnel more flexibility in managing family-work-study commitments. Efforts by police agencies to facilitate employee participation in continuing training and education not only stimulate employee interest in career development, but increase job satisfaction and improve work attitudes, which in turn reduces staff turnover. 10 tables and 55 references