Police Motivation a Relationship Does Exist Between

Police Motivation

A relationship does exist between control and motivation in a police force. Generally police officers are used to working under a fairly individual and self structured environment. Thus when new order is established it is often the source of conflict. In any environment the tendency of personnel is to close up and become less motivated the more control they perceive is being forced over them. A more authoritarian environment such as that under Captain Frebe often breeds resentment rather than discipline and a loyal workforce. It is important however that a chief working in this environment maintain some level of control over employees to maintain order.

How does a unit create balance? Anderson (1999) suggests that managers of a police department should try to distinguish themselves by maintaining an equal amount of concern for the needs of officers as well as the needs of a department.

Further managers have to be aware that there are many critics willing to point out all the things that are wrong rather than all the things that are going right within a given force. In general within a police agency, police officers are used to dispersing through a precinct either alone or in pairs and utilizing individual judgment over matters with "little direct oversight" with regard to responses and calls run (Anderson, 1999). The idea that someone is looking over their shoulder may cause fear and even the perception of a loss of control.

2.

Captain Frebe could have instituted many mechanisms for control without alienating officers. The primary method that he could have accomplished this through is via open communication and participation from the officers. At no point in the case study was there mention that Captain Frebe took into consideration the ideas and suggestions of members of the force. Officers could do many things to create a motivating environment on the workforce. To motivate each other however and actually take pride in their work, they have to feel like they have a voice and are part of the organization as a whole.

They have to participate in decision making and help develop strategies for success that include motivation and the success of each member of the force. Captain Frebe should express his concerns over the problems he is facing and lack of motivation among team members with members of the force, and attempt to solve problems in a manner that encourages equal participation and an open forum. In that way none of the members of the force would feel alienated and all would be working toward the common good of the team.

Captain Frebe also failed to realize that the new rules and regulations he had implemented had actually increased the paperwork load required of his employees, a further deterrent to motivation and a happy environment. If he had worked on consulting with officers prior to implementing his strategy, or at the very minimum acquiring feedback during the implementation process, he might have foreseen this problem and worked out ways to improve the workload and increase employee morale.

3.

It is very possible to motivate organizations when the right approach is taken. The idea that motivation is not practical is a false one. However, it is impossible to motivate if a manager does not take into consideration the exact factors that impact a certain workforce's motivation and job satisfaction.

There are specific criteria that need to be considered when examining a police force. Generally to keep a police force motivated the management team needs to remain flexible and open to modifications because the field and direction of work is constantly evolving, changing and being shaped by current events (Kurke & Shrivner, 1995). Police chiefs do face many unique challenges, namely the idea that most police officers are accustomed to a fairly loose style of oversight and management. They also tend to value their independence.

What motivates an officer one day may also change the next, due to the complex and often changing nature of the job that an officer works in. Thus once a sergeant or official finds an avenue to motivate employees, it is important that he/she continue to explore more approaches, as the initial approach might not work to motivate employees all the time.

The best way to manage this is to take into consideration the goals of not just the organization but also individual officers and to find methods to motivate that accommodate everyone's best interests. Generally this will require that chief and other managers take specific steps to find out specifically what motivates individual members of the force, and subsequently find ways to incorporate these motivators into daily work activities.