The Search for Job Satisfaction: A Survey of Alabama Policing

This study examines police job satisfaction and its association with general occupational attraction. Police officers from sixteen municipal departments (n = 1,114) across one southern state (Alabama) were found to possess moderate-high overall job satisfaction, with regression analysis supporting t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Carlan, Philip E. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2007
In: American journal of criminal justice
Year: 2007, Volume: 32, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 74-86
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Keywords:
Work Environment
Police policy
Police administration
Job satisfaction
Employee retention
Career selection
Description
Summary:This study examines police job satisfaction and its association with general occupational attraction. Police officers from sixteen municipal departments (n = 1,114) across one southern state (Alabama) were found to possess moderate-high overall job satisfaction, with regression analysis supporting the conclusions of prior studies that demographics are of little value to understanding job satisfaction. The findings convey that 25% of job satisfaction variance can be explained from six variables (in order of importance): social contribution, pay, adventure/excitement, autonomy, peer respect, and job security. The importance of benefits and community respect was unsupported, as were partner and special operation assignments. The author concludes that a great portion of police satisfaction hinges on the realization of work environment expectations, and that departments must proactively construct policies to enhance fulfillment of officer aspirations.
ISSN:1936-1351
DOI:10.1007/s12103-007-9014-y