NCJ Number
216843
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 741-756
Date Published
2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined organizational commitment and perceived organizational support among police officers working in the New South Wales (NSW) Police Service.
Abstract
Results were consistent with previous research that found low levels of organizational commitment among police officers in Australia. Organizational commitment was low among officers regardless of officer gender, duty type, and external qualifications. Additionally, organizational commitment actually decreased as years of service, age, and rank increased. Similar results were obtained for both perceived organizational support in general and perceived organizational support in terms of career development. Recommendations are offered for boosting organizational commitment and perceived organizational support among NSW police officers, such as providing opportunities for officers to participate in satisfying work or acquire additional skills through on-going training opportunities. Surveys were completed by 113 randomly selected sworn staff members and sworn police officers from the NSW Police Service. The survey measured demographic characteristics, perceived organizational support within the workplace, commitment to the organization, and perceived organizational support within the workplace in terms of career development. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) calculations and hierarchical multiple regression models were used to analyze the data. Future research should examine possible mechanisms for improving levels of organizational commitment and perceived organizational support among police officers in Australia. Tables, note, references