SpringerLink
Log in

Cop** out: Why police officers decline to participate in the sergeant’s promotional process

  • Published:
American Journal of Criminal Justice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This work examines why police officers decline to participate in the first-line supervisor promotional process to the rank of sergeant. A mail survey, followed by focus group discussions, provides evidence that not seeking advancement is driven by considerations of family, lifestyle choices, and satisfaction with current assignment. Eligible officers who do not seek promotion may be more internally motivated and not driven by the extrinsic rewards attendant to upward mobility.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, N. (1993).International dimensions of organizational behavior (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: PWS-Kent.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, J. H. (1993).Overeducation. Ithaca, NY: Center for Advanced Human Resources, Cornell University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bittner, E. (1970).The functions of police in modern society. Chevy Chase, MD: Clearinghouse for Mental Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boesel, D., & Fredland, E. (1999).College for all? Is there too much emphasis on getting a 4-year college degree? Washington, DC: National Library of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, L. B., & Petrunik, M. (1996). Socio-demographic factors, reference groups, and the career orientations, career aspirations and career satisfaction of Canadian police officers.American Journal of Police, 14(2), 107–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, L. B., McGinnis, J. H., & Petrunik, M. (1993). Police perceptions of education as an entitlement to promotion: An equity theory perspective.American Journal of Police, 12(2), 77–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buracker, C. D. (1979). The educated police officer: Asset or liability?The Police Chief, 46(9), 90–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Copley, W. H. (1987). Using education, academy and field training scores to predict success in a Colorado police department (Doctoral dissertation, Colorado State University, 1987).Dissertation Abstracts International, 49/04A, AAC8808933.

  • Dale, A. (1994). Professionalism and the police.The Police Journal, 67(3), 209–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dantzker, M. L. (1993). An issue for policing: educational level and job satisfaction.American Journal of Police, 12(2), 101–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dantzker, M. L. (1998). Police education and job satisfaction: Educational incentives and recruit educational requirements.Police Forum, 8(3), 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dantzker, M. L. (2000).Understanding today’s police (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deming, W. E. (1991). Foundation for management of quality in the western world. In American Association of School Administrators (Ed.).An introduction to total quality for schools. Arlington, VA: American Association of School Administrators.

    Google Scholar 

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (1983).State and local law enforcement training needs in the United States (Vols. 1 & 2). Quantico, VA: U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, R. J., Golden, K. M., & Heininger, B. L. (1985). Issues in higher education for law enforcement officers: an Illinois study.Journal of Criminal Justice, 13(4), 329–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snyderman, B. (1959).The motivation to work. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooper, M. K. (1988). The relationship of college education to police officer job performance (Doctoral dissertation, Claremont Graduate School, 1988).Dissertation Abstracts International, 49/11A, AAC8901009.

  • Jurkanin, T. J. (1984). An assessment of the relationship between patrol officers’ biographical characteristics, prior educational, training and work experiences and their attained levels of job knowledge (Doctoral dissertation, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1984).Dissertation Abstracts International, 46/03A, AAC8510034.

  • Kaye, B. (1982).Up is not the only way: A guide for career development practitioners. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, A. (1993).Punished by rewards. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laabs, J. J. (1996, August). Embrace today’s new deal.Personnel Journal, p. 60.

  • Luthans, F. (1995).Organizational behavior (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie, D. (2000). May the best man lose.Discover, 21(11), 56–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation.Psychological Review, 50, 370–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClelland, D. C. (1970). The two faces of power.Journal of International Affairs, 24(1), 28–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClelland, D. (1985).Human motivation. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, D. (1960).The human side of enterprise. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molder, E. R. (1991).Police personnel practices: Education, participation and scheduling. Washington, DC: International County Managers Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberg, R. R., & Kuykendall, J. (1999).Police management (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, M. (1995). Increasing the importance of higher education in police human resource development programs.C. J.: The Americas, 8(2), 6–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saari, D. G. (1994). Geometry of voting.Studies in Economic Theory, Vol. 3. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saari, D. G. (1999). Explaining all: Three alternative voting outcomes.Journal of Economic Theory, 87, 313–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scarborough, K. E., Van Tubergen, G. N., Gaines, L. K., & Whitlow, S. S. (2000). An examination of police officers’ motivation to participate in the promotional process.Police Quarterly, 2, 302–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scholtes, P. R. (1990). An elaboration of Deming’s teachings on performance appraisal. In G. N. McLean, S. R. Damme, & A. Swanson (Eds.),Performance appraisal: Perspectives on a quality management approach (pp. 33–47). Alexandria, VA: American Society for Training and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, W. R. (1986). College education requirements for police entry level and promotion: A case study.Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 2, 10–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seltzer, R., Alone, S., & Howard, G. (1996). Police satisfaction with their jobs: Arresting officers in the District of Columbia.Police Studies, 19(4), 25–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simonsen, P. (1997).Promoting a development culture in your organization: Using career development as a change agent. Palo Alto, CA: Davie-Black.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. C., Kendall, L. M., & Hulin, C. L. (1969).The measure of satisfaction in work and retirement. Chicago, IL: Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tafoya, W. L. (1990). The future of policing.FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 59(1), 13–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varricchio, D. (1998). Continuing education: expanding opportunities for officers.FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 67(4), 10–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogel, R., & Adams, R. (1983). Police professionalism: A longitudinal cohort study.Journal of Police Science and Administration, 11, 474–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whetstone, T. S. (1999). Post-consent decree minority promotions: Discrimination, disinterest, disenfranchisement or unrealistic expectations.International Journal of Police Science and Administration, 1, 403–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whetstone, T. S., & Wilson, D. G. (1999). Dilemmas confronting female police officer promotional candidates: Glass ceiling, disenfranchisement or satisfaction.International Journal of Police Science and Administration, 2, 128–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worden, R. E. (1995). The causes of police brutality. In W. A. Geller & H. Toch (Eds.),And justice for all, (pp. 1–60). Washington, DC: Police Executive Research Forum.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Justice Administration, University of Louisville, 208 Brigrnan Hall, 40292, Louisville, KY

    Thomas S. Whetstone

Authors
  1. Thomas S. Whetstone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas S. Whetstone.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Whetstone, T.S. Cop** out: Why police officers decline to participate in the sergeant’s promotional process. Am J Crim Just 25, 147–159 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02886842

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02886842

Keywords

Search

Navigation