NCJ Number
207160
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 134-136,138
Date Published
July 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article offers tips for law enforcement supervisors on how to best motivate senior officers.
Abstract
Supervisors in law enforcement are likely to encounter senior police officers who are cynical and frustrated with their job. It is the job of the supervisor to motivate these disgruntled senior officers, especially considering that rookie officers often emulate the attitude and work ethic of senior officers. Supervisors are discouraged from threatening senior officers with repercussions because, first, labor unions protect employees from recriminatory harassment and, second, this tactic is likely to end with the senior officer more cynical than before. Instead, the author presents eight ways of motivating senior officers that have been proven effective: official recognition, job satisfaction, personal recognition, empowerment, change assignments, promotions, and listening. By motivating senior officers with increased opportunities for official and personal recognition, increased responsibility, promotions, and more power over their job assignments, the work of senior officers will be brought back up to acceptable levels, which in turn will serve as a model for rookie officers. Changing assignments also helps add variety to the job and increased open communication between officers and supervisors helps create an environment in which employees feel valued.