NCJ Number
105861
Journal
Urban Affairs Quarterly Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 598-606
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A survey was conducted of uniformed officers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., in 1982-1983 to examine why police have negative or positive orientations to the communities they serve. Respondents included 68 percent (184) of St. Paul rank and file officers, and 24 percent of Minnesota's (100).
Abstract
Orientations were measured by responses to the statements 'I often encounter situations where my professional standards are in conflict with the expectations of the community,' and 'The people in this city don't seem to appreciate, on the whole, what good police services are about.' Agreement with the first statement was found for 36 percent of the St. Paul subjects and for 40 percent of the Minnesota subjects. Agreement with the second statement was found for 37 percent of the St. Paul officers and 50 percent of the Minnesota officers. Community orientation tended to be higher for officers with better relations with and greater commitment to the departments, positively perceived quality of life in the city, and higher education. 2 notes and 15 references.