NCJ Number
38098
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1976) Pages: 340-345
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER EXAMINES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COLLEGE EDUCATION AND POLICE CYNICISM AS WELL AS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL LEVEL AND VARIOUS POLICE CYNICISM SUBSCALES.
Abstract
THE PAPER IS BASED UPON RESPONSES TO A 103-ITEM QUESTIONNAIRE BY 324 POLICE OFFICERS REPRESENTING 9 DEPARTMENTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE DATA INDICATED THAT IS SPECIFIC RANKS, POLICE CYNICISM SCORES VARIED WITH THE SUBSCALE BEING TESTED. EDUCATED SUPERIORS HAD THE LOWEST OVERALL POLICE CYNICISM SCORE OF ANY OF THE GROUPS EXAMINED IN THE STUDY, WHILE THE EDUCATED PATROLMEN HAD THE HIGHEST MEAN POLICE CYNICISM SCORES. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THIS HIGHER CYNICISM SCORE AMONG COLLEGE-EDUCATED, LOWER LEVEL PERSONNEL REFLECTS THEIR IDENTIFICATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL ETHOS AND THEIR INABILITY TO PRACTICE IT. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT A SOLUTION TO THIS IS FOR POLICE AGENCIES TO MAKE SPECIAL ALLOWANCES FOR COLLEGE-EDUCATED APPLICANTS.