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Integration of Police Officers and Civilian Staff: A Study of Internal Service Quality

NCJ Number
151831
Author(s)
S Highmore
Date Published
1993
Length
122 pages
Annotation
This study examined the extent and quality of interaction between police officers and civilian staff in three English police forces, including a metropolitan force and a large and a small provincial force.
Abstract
The study also sought to ascertain the attitudes of police officers and civilians toward each other, and to identify barriers to integration between the two groups. Data were collected through a literature review, questionnaires administered to uniformed and civilian staff, and interviews. The findings showed that, while personal relationships between police officers and civilian staff are generally good, corporate cultural attitudes and a potentially divisive us-them outlook undermine professional contact and cooperation. Barriers to integration identified here include age and gender differentials, differences in status, and a lack of police-civilian contact. There seems to be a positive correlation between level of contact between the groups and quality of interaction. Suggestions for improving police-civilian relations include, inter alia, creating a rank or status structure for civilians, bringing the pay and conditions of service of civilians into line with that of officers, employing retired officers as civilian employees, increasing joint training between the two groups, and designing a civilian uniform. 23 tables, 1 figure, and 4 appendixes