NCJ Number
57201
Date Published
1976
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A FORMER NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT (NYPD) OFFICER DISCUSSES THE DEPARTMENT'S MORALE PROBLEM AND OFFERS SOME SOLUTIONS.
Abstract
POOR MORALE BREEDS APATHY, WHICH IN TURN CAN LEAD TO CORRUPTION. APATHETIC OFFICERS CAN FALL INTO THE HABIT OF COMMITTING RELATIVELY MINOR INFRACTIONS (SLEEPING IN THEIR PATROL CARS, ACCEPTING FREE CUPS OF COFFEE, ETC.) AND EVENTUALLY FIND IT EASY TO RATIONALIZE MORE SERIOUS VIOLATIONS. THE DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC SUFFER AS A RESULT. THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS LEAD TO LOW MORALE AMONG PATROL OFFICERS IN THE NYPD: CONFLICTS WITH CITY GOVERNMENT OVER WAGES, THE BOREDOM OF ROUTINE PATROL, IRREGULAR HOURS IMPOSED BY THE THREE-PLATOON SYSTEM, APATHY OF LINE OFFICERS, LACK OF OPPORTUNITY FOR UPWARD AND LATERAL MOBILITY, LENGTHY ARREST PROCEDURES, AND INADEQUATE UNIFORMS. THE DEPARTMENT COULD ALLEVIATE THESE SITUATIONS BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING STEPS: USE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S SYSTEM OF WAGES AND BENEFITS; GIVE PATROL OFFICERS REPORTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON THEIR BEATS; ENCOURAGE OFFICERS TO GET OUT OF THEIR PATROL CARS AND TALK TO CITIZENS; INVOLVE PATROL OFFICERS IN FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATIONS; ALLOW OFFICERS TO SELECT THEIR OWN SHIFTS; PROVIDE AND REQUIRE BETTER EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR LINE OFFICERS; REQUIRE LINE OFFICERS TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND TO SUBMIT TO PERIODIC EVALUATIONS BY THEIR SUBORDINATES; HOLD PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS EVERY 2 YEARS; EXCUSE OFFICERS FROM ARRAIGNMENT PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE UNLIKELY TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY; PROVIDE MORE PRACTICAL, PRESTIGIOUS UNIFORMS; AND GIVE ALL PERSONNEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR SPECIALIZED ASSIGNMENTS. (LKM)