U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Patrol Officers and Problem Solving: An Application of Expectancy Theory
NCJ Number
              187423
Journal

*Justice Quarterly* Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 31-61
Author(s)
          Christina DeJong;
                        Stephen D. Mastrofski;
                        Roger B. Parks
Date Published

2001
Length
              31 pages
Annotation
              This article considers the use of expectancy motivation theory to explain variation in police officers' problem solving behavior.
Abstract
              Problem solving has been recognized as a key aspect of community policing. It is a rational, empirical approach to police intervention that calls for much thinking, observing, analysis, and collaboration. This study attempted to determine the extent to which the approach had been implemented and what promotes or impedes its implementation. The study expected that the amount of officers' problem solving would be explained by: (1) the opportunity to do so; (2) the ability to do so; (3) the likelihood that officers would be recognized by their performance in this area; and (4) police officers' calculation of the costs and rewards of such behavior. Data collected from ride-alongs with police officers disclosed that officers who engaged in more problem solving were motivated by potential recognition of such behavior. Expectancy motivation theory provided a more likely explanation for the behavior of community police officers than that of traditional "beat" officers. The article concludes that the single most important thing a department can do to increase its problem solving efforts is to assign more officers to those specialist jobs. Notes, tables, references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        95-IJ-CX-0071


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2001
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Related Datasets
        
                      http://dx.doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR03160
Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Community policing
        NIJ Grant-related Documents
        Police
        Police policies and procedures
        Policing innovation



  
Similar Publications
        
                      States’ School Safety Centers: A Brief Look Into History, Characteristics, and Activities
                  White Paper – Electronic Death Registry In Medicolegal Death Investigation
                  Identifying COVID-19 Policies and Practice that Juvenile Justice Systems Should Maintain Long-Term: Listening Session 1: Juvenile Justice Crime Analysts
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov