NCJ Number
85886
Date Published
1980
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study of the work adjustment of Swedish police officers after 6 years from recruitment shows a drop from high expectations as recruits to a more pessimistic view of their work, career possibilities, and working conditions.
Abstract
This paper is based on a followup of a study of police officers that had as its main objective to empirically test a model of work adjustment and a new application of psychological scaling. The group of officers studied was first analyzed during their recruit training in 1968, and this followup study was done in 1974. Police officers with an average seniority of 14 years also participated in the first study. In both studies, subjects assessed their work situation in relation to their expectations in the areas of job security, level of promotion, relationship with comrades, pay independence, training, opportunities for personal development, social status or social prestige, working conditions, and meaningfulness of work. Findings show that the job expectations held as a recruit have not been met. The present situation does not meet even the lowest demand in the majority of work areas, with the result that work satisfaction has dropped. Neither do respondents generally expect any improvements in the near future. While in 1968 there were big differences in the perceptions of work possibilities between the recruits and the senior police officers, these differences have virtually disappeared. The work adjustment of the subjects has become one of resigned acceptance of an unfavorable work condition, with little hope that they can do anything to improve their circumstances. Still, practically all the respondents expect to remain police officers, thus defying the most important assumption of the model used, i.e., that one leaves an unsatisfactory work situation if one sees any better alternative. Tabular data and 11 references are provided.