Working in Teams: Negative Effects on Organisational Performance in Policing

• NCJ Number: 187919
• Journal: Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 115-127
• Author(s): Carlene Wilson; Neil Brewer
• Editor(s): Lawrence F. Travis III
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study tested predictions derived from social psychological theorizing on the deindividuation phenomenon concerning the effects of working alone or collectively on the quality of outcomes of police patrolling activity.

Abstract

Theory and research in social psychology has long been concerned with the systematic examination of whether groups perform tasks better than individuals. Contrary to current management doctrine, research in social psychology suggests that collective work effort may not always exceed the sum of individual efforts. This research highlights the need to obtain real-world data on work performance and the influence of social variables within a group or collective context. A critical component of successful patrol work is the ability to achieve a resolution to a patrol activity with minimal risk to both officer and citizen. Findings from social psychology raise the possibility that completion of this task in a group setting may, under some circumstances, impact negatively on work performance. Specifically referred to as the deindividuation phenomenon (those in collective or group settings), officers patrolling in two-person teams may, because of their own behavior, experience more resistance from members of the public than officers patrolling alone, especially when arousal is heightened. Police officers (n=1,118) from three Australian State police forces reported the resistance experienced when carrying out 12 patrol activities. Officer age, gender, rank and experience did not predict resistance experienced. Increased resistance was associated with more active afternoon and night shifts, the presence of larger numbers of civilians, and the two-officer patrol mode. In summation, work shift and whether the activity was carried out by officers working alone or collectively proved to be the important determinants of the quality of patrolling outcomes. The influence of patrol mode in these data suggests conclusions consistent with social psychological theory and research: namely, that officers working together may handle interactions with members of the public in a quantitatively different way to single officers.