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POLICE MORALE - LIVING WITH DISCONTENT

NCJ Number
50832
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 249-252
Author(s)
H TOCH
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE MANY FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO POLICE MORALE ARE EXAMINED, AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS, PEER OPINIONS, OUTSIDE PRESSURES, AND MORALE ARE DISCUSSED. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.
Abstract
AFTER OBSERVING THAT MORALE IS OFTEN LOWEST AMONG THOSE MEMBERS OF THE FORCE WHO ARE MOST VALUABLE, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MORALE AND WORK PERFORMANCE IS EXAMINED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT CONFLICTING MESSAGES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, CONFLICTING GOALS WITHIN A DIVISION, OR CONFLICTING PEER OPINIONS CONTRIBUTE TO LOW MORALE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY COMMON IN POLICE WORK. PART OF THE POLICE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT EMPHASIZE NUMBER OF ARRESTS, PART THE QUALITY OF ARREST, AND NOT INFREQUENTLY, BOTH OF THESE GOALS ARE IN CONFLICT WITH A COMMUNITY SERVICE OR WATCHMAN PHILOSOPHY OF POLICING. REASONS FOR SOME OFFICERS' HIGH MORALE MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH ORGANIZATION GOALS. POCKETS OF LOW MORALE CAN REFLECT JOB STRESS OR PERSONAL PROBLEMS. ADMINISTRATORS ARE URGED TO LISTEN TO OFFICER COMPLAINTS AND TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE COMPLAINT. OFTEN THE CONFLICT FELT BY INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS IS AN IMPORTANT CLUE TO SERIOUS TROUBLE AT HIGHER LEVELS. LOW MORALE IS CALLED A PRELUDE TO SIGNIFICANT REFORM. ADMINISTRATORS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO LET OFFICERS 'TALK OUT' PERSONAL PROBLEMS. A SUPPORTIVE WORK ATMOSPHERE CAN HELP THE OFFICER WORK THROUGH PROBLEMS AT HOME. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)

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