U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Exploring Administrators' Perceptions of Light-Duty Assignment

NCJ Number
235165
Journal
Police Quatterly Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 124-141
Author(s)
Cara E. Rabe-Hemp
Date Published
June 2011
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study explored administrators' perceptions of light-duty assignment in police agencies in Illinois.
Abstract
Through the lens of organizational justice, this study explored administrators' perceptions of light-duty assignment in police agencies in Illinois. The majority consider light-duty assignment a necessary practice for modern police agencies, although opinions varied on the need for the formalization of policy, especially for off-duty injury or pregnancy. Qualitative analyses of administrators' perceptions suggest financial and organizational challenges to maintaining light-duty policies, including the costs of overtime pay to cover injured officers' shifts, the struggle to meet mandatory strength minimums, and malingering. The findings have important implications for officer well-being and morale, departmental administrative rule making, and community safety. (Published Abstract)