NCJ Number
61872
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 285-291
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THEORIES OF MOTIVATION ARE SUMMARIZED AND PROBLEMS OF APPLICATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DISCUSSED IN THIS ARTICLE WHICH INTEGRATES THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO AN APPLICATION STRATEGY FOR THESE AGENCIES.
Abstract
A SUMMARY OF MOTIVATIONAL THEORY DISCUSSES THEORIES OF CONTENT OR NEED, INSTRUMENTALITY, AND SOCIAL REFERENCE. THE APPLICATION OF ANY ONE OF THE THEORIES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS PROBLEMATIC, SINCE ECONOMIC REWARDS ARE LOW, PROMOTION IS ADVOCATED FROM WITHIN, AND MOST SMALL AGENCIES HAVE LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION. AN APPLICATIONAL STRATEGY OF MOTIVATIONAL THEORY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS PROPOSED WHICH WOULD EMPLOY ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT BASED ON AN ACCEPTANCE OF BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATION AND CONFLICT AND BEGINNING WITH THE COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION OF ADMINISTRATORS. TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL REWARDS (MOTIVATORS) FOR EACH EMPLOYEE, THE ARTICLE SUGGESTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICE EMPLOYEE NEEDS AND VALUES ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT THAT COULD INCORPORATE REWARDS INTO THE POLICE STRUCTURE AND COULD INCLUDE MERIT PAY RAISES, EXTRA VACATION LEAVE, EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PAY, AND PUBLIC RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. MORE EFFICIENT USE OF PRESENT POLICE PERSONNEL COULD SOLVE MANY OF THE PROBLEMS OF MANPOWER AND MOTIVATION THAT CURRENTLY PLAGUE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. FOOTNOTES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)