NCJ Number
162110
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (1995) Pages: 107-148
Date Published
1995
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This survey of Canadian police officers examined the relationship between career orientations and sociodemographic factors, career aspirations, and career satisfaction, along with changes in attitudes, value, and beliefs toward police work over the span of a career.
Abstract
Following a review of the literature on career orientations, the study methodology is described. A questionnaire was sent under the auspices of the Canadian Police College to a random sample of 250 police constables from two mid-sized (600-1200 sworn officers) Canadian regional police forces that provide both municipal and rural policing. A total of 156 constables completed the questionnaires, yielding a 62.4 percent return rate. As well as asking for general background and sociodemographic information, the researchers developed their own instrument, the Career Attitude Survey, which obtained respondents' past and present career orientations. Respondents rank ordered the career orientation descriptions of five police officers according to how closely they applied to themselves. In addition, participants were asked about their level of career satisfaction and promotion aspirations. The findings are presented under the following topics: sociodemographic factors, initial and current career orientations, initial career orientation and sociodemographic characteristics, current career orientation and sociodemographic characteristics, career orientation transitions, and current career orientation and desires and expectations regarding promotion. Other subjects discussed are education as a qualification for promotion to various ranks, career orientation and job and career satisfaction, and career orientation and patterns among a combination of predictor variables. Following a discussion of the findings, implications are drawn for police personnel policy and management. 11 tables, 1 figure, and 41 references