NCJ Number
144074
Journal
Law Enforcement Tomorrow Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (April 1993) Pages: 10- 16
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article identifies and analyzes the demographic, cultural, social, and workplace trends that will impact police agencies and outlines the police leadership behaviors that will be required to manage mid-size police agencies in the year 2000.
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that the work force will change significantly between now and the year 2000. Pluralism will be the norm. The American value system, driven by cultural diversity and demographic changes, will consist of a multiplicity of ideals and beliefs that both conflict with and complement one another. The employment pool will be composed of aging "baby boomers" facing the challenges of middle age, immigrants facing cultural conflicts, minorities eager for the benefits of the mainstream, and "yuppies" committed to achieving personal goals as quickly as possible. In the public sector, unions will become increasingly more powerful, and elected officials will increase their involvement in the daily operations of the counties, cities, and States they represent. Trends in the police workplace will be a decline in the level of altruism, officers' increased questioning of management authority, increased officer discretion, increased officer participation in decisionmaking, and an increase in cultural and value diversity. Leadership behaviors that will be required of police executives are an orientation to the future, a positive but realistic regard for people, the ability to initiate and maintain momentum in the organization, and wisdom through continued personal growth. 16 references