NCJ Number
162628
Date Published
1996
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study surveyed police officers to determine their attitudes toward mechanisms for improving organizational commitment.
Abstract
The 590 officers responding to the survey reported that police organizational commitment levels could be improved by increasing feedback and participation in decisionmaking. They did not consider external qualifications and career development programs potentially helpful in this regard. They suggested, among other things, improvements in pay and promotion opportunities. Evidence from this study suggests that organizational commitment levels may also be improved by improving supervisory techniques, by initiating more public demonstrations of support, and by identifying and rectifying misconceptions about organizational procedures and policies. Additional results of the survey included: feedback issues; recommended interventions; reasons for leaving the police organization; and commitment levels and responses. Results of this study strongly support increased feedback and participation in decisionmaking as measures to improve organizational commitment. However, the issues surrounding external qualifications and career development programs require further study. Recommendations of improved pay and promotion opportunities may be useful in the formulation of government policies. Tables, references