NCJ Number
104187
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1986) Pages: 267-284
Date Published
1986
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This report describes a methodology for determining the condition of a police organization, using a sample of findings from the method's application to a large Western Canadian police force to illustrate the type and quality of information.
Abstract
The methodology consists of personal interviews with members of the police agency to identify key themes and issues in employees' experience within the organization, the development and administration of a questionnaire to obtain data on the effects of organizational functioning, and feedback to report results and initiate the change process. In the illustrative organizational study of the Canadian police agency, 41 key employees were selected for interviews because of their strategic location within agency bureaus, divisions, sections, and units. The questionnaires administered to this same group were tailored to management, member, and support staff. The questionnaires consisted of standard questions from established survey instruments plus detailed questions relevant to the organization. Key themes and issues from the interviews related to communications, decisionmaking, and discipline (dress and deportment). Data from the questionnaires pertained to job satisfaction, loyalty to the department, job incentives, job stress, agency support, promotion procedures and chances, and dress and deportment actions. 9 tables, 18 figures, and 10 references.