تجزیه و تحلیل مرحله حرفه ای از تعهد کار افسر پلیس

This study examined police officer attitudes toward their work in an effort to determine whether a three-stage model of career development has utility in broadening the understanding of police officers' commitment to their work. One-hundred-sixty-four officers were surveyed using a variety of measures of work commitment including: affective, continuance, and normative organizational commitment; job involvement; Protestant work ethic; and career commitment. Data were also collected on officer intentions to remain with—and their perceptions of conditions under which they might leave—their current agencies. Results showed support for a two-stage rather than the traditional three-stage model of career development, with the trial stage being uniquely different from later career stages. The findings are discussed in light of the applicability of career-stage research to the law enforcement profession.

Previous research has shown that law enforcement officer attitudes and personality characteristics vary over time spent on the job Coman 1990, Evans, Coman, and Stanley 1992, Hillgren and Bond 1975, Rogers 1991, Symonds 1972 and Violanti and Marshall 1983. This research collectively suggested that the psychological functioning of police officers varies over the course of their careers, but that the precise pattern is not well understood.