NCJ Number
165199
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 63 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 49-54
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article presents a basic model for police job analysis, outlining those considerations of particular use to the in-house job analysts who are responsible for the development and administration of job task surveys in their agencies.
Abstract
After discussing the legal foundation for job task analysis, the author examines the design of job task surveys as well as the methodology and application of job analysis data. In recent years, law enforcement's rapid move away from bureaucratic models of management has created a significant need for a thorough analysis of all job tasks, particularly those of the community police officer. Decisions regarding personnel selection, promotion, performance evaluation, training and development, classification/compensation, job design, and workforce analysis are without proper foundation if a comprehensive job task analysis has not been conducted. There are several survey design considerations in the development of a functional tool for job task analysis. Survey content, amounting to a comprehensive list of the tasks and expectations associated with a particular job function, may be compiled from past job descriptions, training materials, procedure manuals, and other similar references that establish a basis of job task expectations within the organization. Survey content may also be developed by evaluating the organization's goals and introducing into the survey those tasks or behavioral statements that define or otherwise reflect goals and objectives. Survey design and method considerations may include the incorporation of organization-specific job task statements; "difficulty of learning" ratings; and the link of knowledge, skills, and abilities to specific job tasks. The production of functional job descriptions can be a major outcome of the job task analysis. 7 notes and 3 tables