Patterns of Community Policing Officers and Their Work: A Study of the National Police Force of Taiwan

• NCJ Number: 218547
• Journal: International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2007 Pages: 51-65
• Author(s): Yumin R. Wang
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined the association between role orientation and personality traits and work patterns in community policing in a sample of 69 community policing officers of the national police force of Taiwan.

Abstract

The study found that community policing--with its reliance on officer initiative, creativity, and flexibility in interacting with citizens who have various attitudes and opinions--was not suitable for officers who had a fixed view of the function of policing. The study classified 65 percent of the community policing officers as either "bread-earners" (married, older, and work to support their families); "technocrats" (work like professionals who believe their job is important to others); "self-fulfillers" (work to fulfill personal goals through serving the community); or "gloomy-cops" (frustrated because they want to perform their work without any departmental supervision). Only the latter type of officer was found not to be motivated to perform community policing. How the immediate supervisors of the community policing officers exercise their leadership significantly influences the outcome of the program. Management of the personality traits and role orientations of the officers is crucial to their being motivated and satisfied with their job tasks. Changing the structure and the associated management of the police organization to accommodate the role orientations and personality traits of those involved in community policing is essential. The questionnaire measured three demographics: age, length of service, and marital status. Information was also collected on police role orientation, skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, job feedback, growth-need strength, context satisfaction, and general job satisfaction. The data was originally collected for a study conducted from 1991 to 1993. 5 tables and 57 references