NCJ Number
107407
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (1986) Pages: 189-226
Date Published
1986
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This two-part study examines two Canadian police agencies in terms of the employment and attitudes of specialists and operations staff and analyzes different police personnel structures in relation to their use of specialists.
Abstract
Study data came from questionnaires and interviews provided by a sample of specialists and operational personnel in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and from interviews with members of a regional police force. The two organizations differed in size and roles, but had many similarities as well. The subjects in both agencies generally agreed that no officer should spend more than 5 or 6 years in a specialized field. Policing values were uniform in the two agencies, and satisfaction with policing was also generally high. The study's second part describes alternative approaches to the development and employment of specialists in police organizations. It also considers the relative strengths and weaknesses of the traditional police personnel structure. Among recommendations are that larger police forces recognize that they have changed from mainly general duty organizations to specialist organizations, develop appropriate policies, and consider the hiring of personnel and administrative systems advisors. Alternatives to the bottom-entry system should be developed, and specialist expertise rather than rank alone should be a qualification for decisionmaking. Tables and figures.