Job Satisfaction/Organizational Climate Analysis (From Comprehensive Evaluation of Phase One of the Virginia Beach, Virginia Police Department's Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program, P 280-440, 1980, by Wolfgang Pindur - See NCJ-73102)

• NCJ Number: 73110
• Author(s): W Pindur; S P Lipiec; J Hurley
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 161 pages
• Contract Number(s): 78-DF-AX-0195
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Virginia Beach Division of Police
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCJ-73110 is available on microfiche as NCJ-73102.

Annotation

The general job satisfaction of the full-time sworn personnel of the Virginia Beach, Va., Police Department was assessed by means of a survey conducted in February 1980.

Abstract

Results were compared with results of a similar survey conducted in March 1979. In addition, specific items were included to assess the impact of the Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program (ICAP) on the attitudes, feelings, and perceptions of the Virginia Beach officers. The survey questionnaire contained 79 items, including both fixed choice and open-ended items. Of the 325 questionnaires distributed, 92 percent were returned. Responses to the fixed response questions indicated a favorable and positive attitude toward the department. Improved attitudes toward the department's openness to change and to the offering of chances to improve and develop skills were evidenced. The image of patrol duty had also improved over the past year. Attitudes toward immediate supervisors remained relatively high, as did the frequency of communications breakdowns. Other problem areas identified included excessive paperwork, the need for improved equipment, and the lack of a sense of accomplishment of feeling of getting ahead. Currently, 57 percent of the officers are satisfied with their jobs. Attitudes varied somewhat according to the officer's rank, with managers indicating the most job satisfaction and detectives the least. A strong positive correlation was found between familiarity with ICAP and positive attitudes towards the ICAP program. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions presented a contrast to the fixed choice data. Officers who responded to the open-ended questions felt generally dissatisfied with the department's upper level management. Since many of these areas were not directly addressed in the 1979 and 1980 surveys, it is strongly recommended that readers of this report review the verbatim responses, which identify numerous problem areas needing further study. Tables and extensive lists of verbatim responses are included. This study is part of a larger evaluation of the ICAP, which was designed to upgrade the patrol system, focus efforts on serious crimes and crimes commited by serious offenders, and increase citizen satisfaction with the department. (Author abstract modified)