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                            Library & Multimedia
 Motivations for a career in policing: social group differences and occupational satisfaction
NCJ Number
              304879
Journal

*Police Practice and Research* Volume: 22 Issue: 5 Dated: 2021 Pages: 1507-1523
Author(s)
          A. M. Schuck
Date Published

2021
Length
              17 pages
Annotation
              This study aimed to evaluate the dimensionality of motivations to become a police officer; assess sex, race, and ethnicity differences in motives; and analyze the relationship between motivations, job satisfaction, and career outlook.
Abstract
              Using a sample of police recruits (N = 1009) drawn from the United States, the analyses revealed three basic dimensions: (1) economic opportunities and stability; (2) working conditions, including excitement and prestige; and (3) humanitarian reasons, such as working with people. The results suggest that focusing on humanitarian motivations should directly result in the recruitment of more female, Black, and Latinx candidates and indirectly result in higher job satisfaction and more positive career attitudes. Furthermore, the results indicate that using messages that convey economic opportunities and job stability for recruitment efforts should also result in more female, Black, and Latinx candidates; however, this strategy will not have the positive indirect effect of increased satisfaction or career outlook. (Publisher Abstract Provided)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2008-DN-BX-0005


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Award
        Advancing Knowledge and Practice in Policing: A Longitudinal Platform for National Research
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2021
    
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                Social and Behavioral Science
        Police recruits
        Police career incentive training
        Police careers
        Police attitudes



  
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