NCJ Number
180345
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 1999 Pages: 507-516
Editor(s)
Kent B. Joscelyn
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examines police officer attitudes toward their work in an effort to determine whether a three-stage model of career development is useful in broadening the understanding of police officers' commitment to their work.
Abstract
The traditional three-stage model of career development includes Trial (up to 30 years), Establishment (31 to 44 years) and Maintenance (up to 45 years). 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 supported 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 article discusses study findings in light of the applicability of career stage research to the law enforcement profession. Tables, references