NCJ Number
5827
Date Published
1971
Length
140 pages
Annotation
PROJECT CONDUCTED TO DEVELOP AND DEMONSTRATE A MEANS FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS INTO THE CAREER PROGRAM OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS EXAMINED PERSONNEL RECORDS, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS, AND ADMINISTERED A QUESTIONNAIRE TO ST. LOUIS POLICEMEN TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON PERSONNEL FLOW CAREER HISTORIES, AND TO TRACE IDEAL CAREER PATHS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT. ON THE BASIS OF THIS INFORMATION A PROGRAM FOR REORGANIZING CAREER FIELDS WAS DEVELOPED WHICH MAY BE ADAPTED BY OTHER CITIES. IT IS REPRESENTED IN FOUR MAJOR PHASES OF CAREER GROWTH - ORIENTATION, PLACEMENT, MOBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT. FIRST, WHEN A YOUNG RECRUIT JOINS A POLICE DEPARTMENT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MECHANISM FOR DEVELOPING A CAREER ORIENTATION. HE MUST BE MADE TO FEEL HE HAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE DEPARTMENT. THE PLACEMENT PHASE OF A CAREER SYSTEM REQUIRES THAT RECRUITS BE PLACED IN THE ASSIGNMENT CHANNELS THAT BEST MATCH THEIR SKILLS WITH JOB REQUIREMENTS, WHILE MOBILITY SHOULD PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE WITHIN RANK OF SPECIALTY GRADES. FINALLY, THERE SHOULD BE PROVISION FOR A CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN A POLICE AGENCY, DESIGNED TO MAKE AND MAINTAIN THE INVENTORY OF SKILLS, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE OF THE TOTAL FORCE. BY PROVIDING INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS IT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO BETTER DECISIONS ABOUT SELECTION, TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENT. THE STUDY IS COMPLEMENTED BY A COMPANION VOLUME - GUIDELINES FOR EXAMINING AND CONSTRUCTING POLICE CAREER PATH PROGRAMS. AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED