NCJ Number
129985
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (1990) Pages: 1-23
Date Published
1990
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Police officers from 14 agencies in southwestern Ohio, representing small and medium-sized departments located in various community types and operating under several governmental structures, answered a self-administered questionnaire relating to participatory management in law enforcement. Respondents were asked about their general views toward participatory management, the degree to which managers in their agencies adhered to principles of participatory management, and their satisfaction with the current management of their departments.
Abstract
Many observers believe that the time for autocratic management in police agencies is past, and that better education among officers, the rise in problem-oriented and community policing approaches, and success with participatory management in other fields support its use in policing. According to the survey, all respondents believed in the principles and benefits of participatory management, the viability of employees as participants, and employee interest in management problems. However, few respondents thought that their departments had effectively implemented this management style. Only those respondents in managerial positions or those working in small departments were satisfied with the current operation of their agencies. 6 tables, 2 notes, 40 references, and 1 appendix