A 1991 study revealed that organizational commitment in Australian police organizations was low compared to that of police in other countries. The literature suggested several factors that affect organizational commitment among police recruits and indicated that conflicts among recruits' expectations and formal and informal experiences may decrease commitment. The five surveys gathered information from police recruits (1) before training began in August 1994, (2) after 13 weeks of academy training but prior to field observations, (3) after another 23 weeks of academy training and prior to field training, (4) immediately after field training and prior to graduation, and (5) at the end of the probationary year. Commitment levels were stable across academy training but decreased immediately and significantly as a result of real policing. In addition, recruits held unrealistic expectations prior to entering academy training. Findings indicated the importance of ensuring that applicants receive accurate information about all aspects of policing, especially the importance of police work in the community and the amount of feedback recruits would receive from other people. Findings suggested that exposure to positive experiences and to appropriate mentors are crucial to the earliest development of organizational commitment in Australian police officers. Further research should explore the relative influence of personal experiences and mentors' attitudes. Figures, tables, and 24 references