NCJ Number
113632
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 81-89
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
One aspect of policing that has received little formal attention is the niche occupied by volunteer police officers. The current study examines 16 reserve police officers in a midsized municipal police department.
Abstract
Reasons why individuals volunteer as reserve officers, their perceptions of police work and their feelings about possessing volunteer police status are considered. Results indicate that volunteer officers are propelled more by self-interest than by altruistic motivations, tend to hold a romanticized view of policing, and derive a great deal of satisfaction from their involvement in the police world. (Author abstract)