Police - A Profile of Selected Attitudes and Occupational Socialization

• NCJ Number: 89458
• Author(s): W D Parker
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 200 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Oklahoma State University - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

This study explores selected police attitudes and the impact of occupational socialization on the police, based on standardized attitude scales, interviews, and observations. Two medium-sized and one large police department in Oklahoma County, Okla., participated.

Abstract

The study measured six dependent variables -- attitudes toward the law, job satisfaction, dogmatism, civil liberties, anomie, and trust in people -- against five independent variables -- age, education, marital status, years on the force, and work shift. Officers in the large police department showed generally positive attitudes toward the law and job satisfaction, a low degree of anomie and dogmatism, and a moderate trust in people. Similar findings were recorded for the medium-sized departments. Data tables, footnotes, and over 90 references are provided. Appendixes include the research instrument, study scales, and observational interview forms and schedules, and definitions.