NCJ Number
9381
Date Published
1972
Length
0 pages
Annotation
DATA RELATING TO METHODS OF DEALING WITH POLICE UNIONS AND TO THE EFFECTS OF THESE UNIONS UPON PROFESSIONALIZATION OF POLICE PERSONNEL.
Abstract
IN-DEPTH FIELD SURVEYS WERE CONDUCTED IN MAJOR CITIES WHERE POLICE UNIONS ARE ACTIVE, IN CITIES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AND IN CITIES WHERE THEY ARE FORBIDDEN. SURVEY FINDINGS INDICATE THAT IN MOST CITIES THE UNION FULFILLS THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF BARGAINING FOR ECONOMIC AND NONECONOMIC BENEFITS, PROMOTING SUCH TRADITIONAL GRIEVANCES AS OVERTIME, SENIORITY AND DISCIPLINE. THE AUTHORS FEEL THAT POLICE UNIONS HAVE NARROWED MANAGEMENT DISCRETION, FOSTERED DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT BY POLICY, AND THAT, IN GENERAL THE PRIMARY UNION IMPACT HAS BEEN TO FORCE POLICE MANAGEMENT TO FOCUS GREATER ATTENTION ON THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF POLICEMEN AND TO IMPROVE PERSONNEL PRACTICES WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. (SNI ABSTRACT)