NCJ Number
89714
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1983) Pages: 69-75
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The law enforcement executive can minimize conflicts by an analysis of demands and increased communication within the role set and by focusing on primary roles: diplomat-liaison, coordinator, initiator of interactions, and manager of change.
Abstract
The significant others with whom a person has to interact regularly to perform his job are called the role set. Generally, a role set includes superiors, subordinates, colleagues, and people in the work flow. Role conflict emerges when members of a role set have differing expectations for job performance. Role problems also include (1) role overload, which occurs when it is physically impossible to satisfy all the expectations of the role set; (2) role ambiguity, when role expectations of the role set are vague or inconsistent; and (3) personal-role conflict, which arises when the behavior required is contrary to the executive's personal image, character, or values. Conflicts may be resolved or reduced by identifying their source and communicating with any persons involved to modify or expose the difficulties in a situation. The critical roles of the executive include functioning as a spokesperson and representative of the organization to shape perceptions of it; coordinating and integrating the various functions and divisions of an agency in accordance with established policy; initiating effective interactions with members of the role set; and managing change through monitoring and communication with all employees. Twelve references are provided.