NCJ Number
216841
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 704-722
Date Published
2006
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined how organizational socialization into police culture impacted officers’ opinions about community policing in South Korea.
Abstract
Results indicated that four dimensions of organizational socialization had significant effects on officers’ attitudes toward community policing: performance proficiency, politics, organizational values and goals, and people. Officers who reported higher levels of socialization into the dimensions of performance proficiency, politics, organizational values and goals, and people, were more likely to support community policing. These findings were unexpected as previous research has indicated that greater socialization into police culture predicted support for traditional police practices and not community policing. It is possible therefore, that Korean police culture may be fundamentally different from police culture in other countries. Research methods involved gathering questionnaire data from 649 police officers working in 3 police departments. Police departments were randomly selected from each category among a list of 32 police departments in Taegu and KyungSang, South Korea. Police agencies in South Korea had recently implemented major reforms that emphasized the importance of positive relationships with citizens and crime prevention. Participation was anonymous and voluntary. Questionnaires measured officers’ attitudes toward community policing, job ranking, years of police experience, education level, and various dimensions of organizational socialization. Data were analyzed using multiple ordinary least squares regression models. Future research should utilize a longitudinal design to clarify the process in which a new officer is socialized into the existing police culture. Tables, notes, references