Working Environment and Role Variation - The Case of the Suburban Police

• NCJ Number: 72111
• Author(s): R Kernish
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 163 pages
• Grant Number(s): SOC 72-05579 A02
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Temple University 1-1 doctoral dissertation

Annotation

The Hughesian framework for examining the world of work is described, and one element in this framework--the notion that work setting explains variation in work attitudes and work behavior--is examined by analyzing data collected from police officers in the suburban Philadelphia area.

Abstract

The Hughesian framework is discussed, and the nature and environment of police work are related to it. Then, the following hypotheses are presented: (1) police isolation varies inversely with community socioeconomic status, community size, population density, and danger; (2) police hostility to civilians varies inversely with community socioeconomic status, stability, and homogeneity, and directly with community size, population density, and danger; (3) police perception of civilian hostility, varies inversely with community socioeconomic status, stability, and homogeneity, and directly with community size, population density, and danger; (4) police morale varies directly with community socioeconomic status, stability, and homogeneity, and inversely with community size, population density, and danger; and (5) the recruitment pool and training procedure for suburban police will show significant differences from those of metropolitan departments. Research procedures for testing the hypotheses involved the development and administration of a questionnaire to a research population of 304 uniformed police officers from 27 jurisdictions in 4 suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia are described. Research revealed that the first three hypotheses were not supported by the findings; the fourth hypothesis was controverted; and the fifth hypothesis was partially supported. The finding that some distinction between city and suburban policing seems to exist that does not exist between even the most divergent types of suburbs receives particular attention. Research data are presented in tabular form. Appendixes contain early and final versions of the questionnaire, additional tables, and approximately 100 references.