NCJ Number
212882
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 684-705
Date Published
2005
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of perceived organizational support and public recognition in the relationship between unethical attitudes and prosocial behavior among Nigerian police officers.
Abstract
The findings suggest that if Nigerian police are expected to act ethically and prosocially toward Nigerian citizens, they must be supported within the policing organization and accorded due recognition for their work. While the findings point to the fact that perceived organizational support and public recognition are important factors in developing prosocial behaviors toward the public, the variables examined in this study were global concepts and interpretations of causality must be made with caution because of the non-experimental nature of the study design. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses revealed a significant negative relationship between unethical attitudes and prosocial behavior, indicating that those with favorable attitudes toward professional ethics were more likely to exhibit prosocial behaviors than those with unethical attitudes. Moreover, officers who perceived high organizational support and public recognition were more likely to reciprocate by developing positive attitudes toward professional ethics. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 163 male police officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, Ibadan, Nigeria. Participants completed questionnaires measuring attitudes towards professional ethics, perceived organizational support, police prosocial behavior, and perceived public recognition. Future research should examine different facets of these constructs. Tables, figures, references, appendix