NCJ Number
54493
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT TOUCHES ON EXISTING PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS, CONSTRAINING INFLUENCES, AND NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON POLICIES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION, PROBATIONARY PERIODS FOR RECRUITS, POLICE TRAINING, HIGHER EDUCATION FOR POLICE, PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL, INCENTIVE SYSTEMS, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENTS. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT A PROGRESSIVE DEPARTMENT MUST NOT ONLY RECOGNIZE MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE BUT MUST ALSO PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL ENCOURAGE SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND A STRUCTURED, MEANINGFUL PROCESS FOR REWARDING SELF-IMPROVEMENT. OFFICERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A CAREER CHOICE ARRANGEMENT IN WHICH THEY CAN MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS ABOUT OWN FUTURES. THERE SHOULD BE A REALISTIC, EQUITABLE, JOB-RELATED SELECTION AND PROMOTION PROCESS THAT EMPHASIZES THE INDIVIDUALITY OF THE EMPLOYEE. THE NEED FOR POLICE AGENCIES TO UNDERSTAND PROFESSIONALISM AND FOR PROFESSIONALISM TO BE CONSISTENT WITH ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS AND WITH EMPLOYEES' OWN INTERESTS IS CITED AS A PREREQUISITE FOR GAINING SUPPORT FOR A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. AGENCIES ARE REMINDED THAT PROFESSIONALISM INVOLVES CERTAIN POSITIVE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS, NOT JUST TITLES, COLLEGE CREDITS, AND MANDATED TRAINING HOURS. THE NEED TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO JOB SATISFACTION, PRODUCTIVITY, AND HUMAN FACTORS IN ORGANIZATIONS IS NOTED. THE TENDENCY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO REGARD PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES AS PROCEDURAL FORMALITIES TO BE COMPLIED WITH RATHER THAN AS VEHICLES FOR PROMOTING EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION AND ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS IS OBSERVED. IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT THE STRONG LOCAL ORIENTATION OF MUNICIPAL POLICE AGENCIES AND THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY ADHERENCE TO DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES WILL MEAN THAT ANY CHANGES IN EXISTING PERSONNEL PRACTICES WILL BE PIECEMEAL AND LIMITED. NEVERTHELESS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES LIKELY TO RESULT FROM SYSTEMATIC PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT AND ARE URGED NOT TO IGNORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING THEIR PERSONNEL PRACTICES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)