NCJ Number
78005
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 48 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 60-64
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Factors in the police work environment contributing to job dissatisfaction are identified, and ways to enrich jobs to increase police job satisfaction within police work are discussed.
Abstract
At a recent police demonstration in New York City, the protestors spotted Telly Savalas, the actor who plays TV supercop Kojak, and hoisted him on their shoulders as the symbol of a police officer who challenges the insensitive, irrational bureaucracy that often hinders more than it helps police effectiveness. The anger of police officers, the Kojak syndrome, stems largely from poor working conditions, unreasonable departmental policies, inconsiderate leadership, and management resistance to change. A growing number of police officers are determined to curtail the powers of their superiors and reshape the police institution along new lines of reasonable assignments, mature relationships, responsible leadership, and organizational pride. Job enrichment is the only sensible departmental approach for addressing this officer antagonism. Job enrichment should involve improving the work environment and providing motivators in the content of the job. Improving the work environment might involve improving the condition and aesthetic quality of police precincts, increasing the quality of the equipment, offering competitive compensation, and removing unnecessary regimentation, while increasing officer involvement in policymaking. Providing motivators in job content should focus on opportunities for recognition for achievement, increased responsibility, challenging work, and personal and professional growth. Footnotes are provided.