THE POLICE ROLE IS EXAMINED WITH RESPECT TO THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER, THE POLICE ORGANIZATION, AND THE PUBLIC. INCREASING DEMANDS ON THE POLICE IN THE FORM OF THE GROWING COMPLEXITY OF ORDER MAINTENANCE AND INCREASING CALLS FOR CRIME FIGHTING ARE DISCUSSED. THE ADAPTIVE RESPONSES OF POLICE RESULTING FROM THESE ROLE DEMANDS AND ROLE CHANGES ARE DISCUSSED. THEORIES CONCERNING THE HIERARCHY OF NEEDS AND MOTIVATION ARE REVIEWED. FINALLY, AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT LITERATURE ON JOB SATISFACTION IN POLICING IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A LITERATURE REVIEW. CONCLUSIONS ON METHODS OF IMPROVING MOTIVATION AND JOB SATISFACTION ARE PRESENTED.