NCJ Number
139598
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 23-36
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Data from 93 evaluations of field training officers by rookie police officers in the Tallahassee (Fla.) Police Department revealed that female rookies, particularly white female rookies, are far more critical of their training officers than are male recruits.
Abstract
The structured rating system replaced a non-structured approach as a result of the 1982 consent decree that settled a class-lawsuit charging unlawful discrimination in hiring decisions. The consent decree resulted in a dramatic increase in the proportions of females and minorities among police recruits. The rookies' anonymous critiques of their field training officers were withheld until the end of the training program, when the coordinator arranged a meeting to elicit feedback and suggestions and conducted private meetings with each field training officer. Analysis of the 93 evaluations revealed that the ratings were generally positive and that the race of the rookie had no systematic impact on the ratings. However, female trainees issued much lower scores to male training officers on seven of the eight dimensions. They also gave lower scores to female training officers on every item except training interest and communication. Results indicated that barriers persist within the workplace despite concerted organizational efforts to attain an equitable balance of women in sworn positions. Tables, note, and 30 references