NCJ Number
94149
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1984) Pages: 186-190
Date Published
1984
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Police administrators should directly address the issue of alienation among line officers and should rely less on standard solutions, such as better management and increased staffing.
Abstract
Police administrators also need to improve the ways their agencies provide sources of social and personal satisfaction for line officers. Police agencies need to improve their relations with communities and their working relationships with the State attorney's office. Study data came from anonymous questionnaires completed by 86 sworn officers of the Miami and Dade County (Florida) metropolitan police departments. The surveys were completed shortly after the Liberty City riot in Miami in 1979. Questions dealt with alienation, opinions on affirmative action, future career plans, involvement in work outside the departments, length of service, and demographic data. While officers were almost evenly divided in their opinions of how the community viewed the police, over three-quarters felt that the news media reports were biased against the police. Black officers tended to be much less alienated from the community than white or Hispanic officers. Officers under age 30 were more negative than were older officers. Almost two-thirds of all officers were alienated from their department administrators. Earlier research indicating that officers are becoming increasingly detached or alienated from their work was confirmed. Data tables, footnotes, and 20 references are supplied.