G. M. Cox

Graduation Semester and Year

2011

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning and Public Policy

Department

Public Administration

First Advisor

Rod Hissong

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to determine if a downward trend exists in the number of people who are motivated to become police officers and to explore whether there has been a shift in motivational factors among the three major generational groups to serve as police officers. Furthermore, it hypothesized that incumbents in the police service, across generational lines, have changed in their public service motivation to serve as police officers.The research project utilized two survey instruments. The first survey focused on police chiefs and human resource directors. The primary objective for surveying this group was to determine if there is a perceived reduction in the number of qualified people who are motivated to serve as police officers. The second survey group was incumbent police officers, below the rank of police chief. The survey instrument asked a number of questions and statements to determine if, among the various generational groups, there is a shift in public service motivation and motivational factors to serve as police officers.The various subgroups among the survey participants were also evaluated according to years of service, ethnicity, sex, and education. In addition, all participants were grouped into their generational cohort. The results of this research project could have serious policy implications for strategic human resource management in the police service. Police chiefs, human resource directors, and police recruiters, it is hoped, will be able to glean real world information about what is motivating the next generation of potential police applicants and focus on those motivational factors that will maximize their ability to attract, hire, and retain police officers.

Disciplines

Public Affairs | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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