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Performance Appraisal: From Albatross to Motivational Tool

NCJ Number
117395
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 46-51
Author(s)
L R O'Leary; M E Scafe
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The police department of Overland Park, Kansas revised its system for performance appraisal to make it a system for performance management by providing ongoing monitoring, documentation, and feedback, coupled with semi-annual reviews and goal-setting sessions.
Abstract
The revised system has increased both motivation and performance. It replaced a generic appraisal system that was in place prior to 1980. This system focused on certain traits but was not job-related, involved inconsistency among raters, focused on the activity just before the due date, was inconsistently implemented, and had the potential for discrimination against protected classes of personnel. The new system was developed in two phases and used the assessment center process. It is characterized by ongoing recording of behavior and provision of feedback by the regular supervisor as well as recordkeeping and feedback by the relief supervisor. The feedback focuses on 11 areas of job-related competencies. Most users find the new system far superior to the previous one. Charts.