NCJ Number
95138
Date Published
1984
Length
343 pages
Annotation
The historical evolution of the police -- their duties, attitudes, and responsibilities in a continually changing society -- is traced.
Abstract
Of the motives that lead young people into law enforcement, the desire to serve society is very high on the list. The next most common reason is income level and job security, followed by the job itself -- its variety, excitement, and challenge. The training of police officers is reviewed, and suggestions are provided, including the need for departmental commitment to the training program, manifested in financial and emotional support; and the provision of inservice training through workshops, seminars, and conferences. The recruits' first years on the street, when they experience the frustration derived from dealing with the tension between laws and new social trends, are analyzed; and the stresses faced by officers are addressed. Stressors include poor training, poor supervision, shiftwork, absence of closure, responsibility for other people's safety, personal problems, and lack of citizen cooperation. The effect of these stressors on married officers and their spouses is considered, and the special problems encountered by minorities and female officers are examined. Issues related to promotion and advancement are analyzed, and retirement from the police force is discussed. The special problems faced by police widows and their children are also noted. Approximately 260 references are included.