NCJ Number
124698
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 59 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 18-20
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy graduates were surveyed in 1988 to obtain information from State and local law enforcement officers on career patterns of graduates and perceptions of the academy's program.
Abstract
Of 6,333 graduates who attended the academy from July 1981 to December 1987, 807 were surveyed using a stratified random sampling technique. Usable responses totaled 642, for a response rate of 80 percent. Survey results showed that 95 percent of graduates are still pursuing law enforcement careers; 86 percent are between 30 and 49 years of age, 59 percent have between 11 and 20 years of law enforcement experience, and 38 percent have more than 20 years of experience. Forty percent did not experience a job change since attending the academy. Senior executives who did change jobs moved to another law enforcement agency. Jobs changed for middle managers because of lateral transfers and promotions. For those in all other ranks, the order of frequency for job changes was promotion, lateral transfer, and movement to another law enforcement agency. Graduates with 3-4 years of college were promoted most frequently. Respondent perceptions of the academy showed that association with other attendees was the most highly rated, followed by knowledge gained from coursework. It appears that the FBI National Academy is successful in promoting increased knowledge and exchange of ideas among State and local law enforcement personnel.