NCJ Number
143893
Journal
Police Chief Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 35-36
Date Published
1992
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the experience of the Anne Arundel County (Md.) Police Department in using monetary incentives in a field training program concluded that such an approach can lead to several problems and fails to take into account the powerful effect of a positively motivated and self- disciplined employee.
Abstract
The agency established a field training program in 1987, based on the San Jose model of field training and evaluation. Each field officer received $350 as an incentive award intended to create an enthusiastic climate in which veteran police officers would be encouraged to take part. However, five problems emerged, each clearly related to the incentive award. These problems led to the conclusion that the effect of the award was the opposite of what was intended. To avoid such problems, other field training programs should interview each potential candidate, be honest about potential removal from the problem, give a special significance to the program, and involve a core group of field training officers and managers to make recommendations if an incentive award is contemplated. Without these actions, an incentive award can lead to disillusionment, changes in direction and focus, and a lack of cooperation between participants. 2 reference notes