Understanding Voluntary Turnover: An Examination of Resignations in Australasian Police Organisations

• NCJ Number: 207409
• Author(s): Jessica Lynch; Michelle Tuckey
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 182 pages
• Corporate Author: Australasian Centre for Policing Research
• Sale Source: Australasian Centre for Policing Research
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This study investigated voluntary turnover of sworn police officers in Australia and New Zealand.

Abstract

Employee turnover is a serious issue for law enforcement agencies; the loss of experienced and qualified personnel can have deleterious consequences for the agency and for the community. The current study analyzed turnover statistics from Australia and New Zealand over the 4-year financial period 1999-2000 through 2002-2003. More specifically, the study analyzed the resignation and separation rates of sworn police officers in Australian and New Zealand police departments; compared resignation and separation rates of sworn officers with those of unsworn officers and with employees of other public service organizations; identified the individual, organizational, and external factors predictive of officer resignation; and described the organization factors that influenced the career decisions of sworn officers. Three key findings emerged from the research: (1) resignations constituted 59 percent of the total number of sworn officer separations over the study period; (2) the sworn officer resignations and total separation rates of Australasian police organizations were actually low when compared to unsworn officer resignation and separation rates and with the rates of resignation in other public service organizations; and (3) the average resignation rate for female officers was significantly higher than that for male officers during the study period. Findings from a survey of 277 ex-officers revealed 5 main reasons for leaving the police department: (1) quality of life and satisfaction with job; (2) flexibility issues; (3) management; (4) promotions and other career issues; and (5) resources. Findings from qualitative interviews with 132 ex-officers indicated that police departments should reassess the way in which resignations are addressed. Finally, 17 recommendations are offered for improving retention and addressing employee concerns, including the implementation of measures to foster employee career development and the implementation of more flexible work solutions. Figures, tables, references, appendixes