NCJ Number
123795
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1988) Pages: 249-254
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Information from 756 police officers and 100 police recruits in a Southeast Asian country was used to determine whether a value pattern exists in the police of this country.
Abstract
Participants completed the Rokeach Value Survey, which consists of 18 terminal and instrumental values arranged in alphabetical order. Statistical analysis through the use of medians, rank order, and analysis of variance showed that both groups of participants placed a high value on such end-goals as health, family security, national security, and a world at peace. They also placed a low value on a world of beauty, salvation, and pleasure. In addition, the recruits and serving officers were similar in their ranking of 8 values: a comfortable life, an exciting life, equality, freedom, inner harmony, self-respect, wisdom, and social recognition. However, the two groups differed markedly in their rankings of instrumental values. Regular officers gave the highest ratings to the following characteristics: responsible, honest, ambitious, and capable. In contrast, the recruits valued the following qualities: self-controlled, courageous, independent, and obedient. Results suggested that a police subculture exists and that socialization into this occupational subculture involves a change in instrumental values. This socialization appears to occur in stages and is a function of time. Tables and 16 references.