NCJ Number
101317
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (1985) Pages: 413-424
Date Published
1985
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This 1981 Canadian survey interviewed imminent and actual police retirees to determine their attitudes toward their police career, retirement plans, and retirement experiences.
Abstract
The survey was designed to interview all officers in three police agencies within 3 years of retirement as well as all retirees from these departments. A total of 183 personal or telephone interviews were completed, supplemented by 117 mail questionnaires. This number was approximately 70 percent of the targeted population. Most respondents had entered policing by age 25, and few had other occupational experiences. Most entered policing to achieve stable employment rather than fulfill some romantic ideal of being a police officer. Few had carefully planned their retirement in terms of income and the development of an occupational or activity alternative to policing after retirement. Most intended to work in some capacity after retirement, primarily for economic reasons. Most favored police retirement at age 60 or earlier. Senior officers frequently assumed administrative positions in other organizations after retirement, and junior officers usually engaged in manual labor in some self-employed capacity. Approximately 25 percent performed some kind of security work after retirement. 4-item bibliography.