NCJ Number
221488
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 620-636
Date Published
2007
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined policing style adopted by officers in a rural setting and tested the utility of Work Redesign, a theory that explains the importance and role of satisfaction with work.
Abstract
Findings suggest that community policing has a role in rural areas; however, officers in community policing assignments supported COP approaches at significantly higher levels than those officers assigned to traditional motorized patrol. Satisfaction with work was significantly related to the community policing factors; more satisfied officers tended to adopt a COP style of policing and endorse the importance of COP tasks, while less satisfied officers were significantly more likely to endorse a traditional law enforcement approach. Community policing officers endorsed both community and traditional motorized patrol while officers in traditional motorized patrol roles were significantly more likely to stress the importance of a reactive and traditional style of policing. Minority officers were generally more likely to endorse traditional law enforcement ideas while White officers were significantly more likely to support community policing approaches. COP was found to be a philosophy amenable to rural communities and officers in those areas. The research showed no significant differences between assignment to community policing or traditional motorized policing and endorsement of a traditional, professional style of policing and participation in traditional law enforcement activity. Placing officers in community policing contexts usually resulted in elevated satisfaction with work; individuals experienced greater work related satisfaction when they were placed in positions with higher autonomy, had the ability to affect positive outcomes, and perceived positive outcomes. COP philosophy would seem to have high utility for terrorism prevention through informal citizen-police information sharing, affiliations with other city or county agencies, and a proactive problem solving approach. Recommendations include rotating officers into community policing positions to expose them to the utility of community or problem oriented strategies which would likely increase referrals and usage of those programs. Data were collected through a survey of rural police officers. Tables, notes, references