NCJ Number
137616
Date Published
1992
Length
200 pages
Annotation
Intended to help make retirement a positive experience for police officers, this volume is intended to inform active and retired police officers what retirement involves and how to plan for and enjoy it and to alert academicians and the public to the psychological effects of police retirement.
Abstract
The history and present status of police retirement in the United States are detailed. Retirement is then discussed from Atchley's perspective as a process that occurs in five phases: a pre-retirement phase, a honeymoon phase, a disenchantment phase, a reorientation phase, and a stability phase. Factors involved in the decision to retire are discussed including age, the removal of financial or other barriers to retirement, promotional considerations, burnout, and traumatic incidents on the job. Involuntary police retirement due to age or disability and its impacts are also discussed and include the arguments for and against age as a criterion for retirement. Additional chapters focus on the psychological, social, and physical effects of police retirement and techniques for effective pre-retirement planning in the area of finances, relocation, improving employability, job searches, discrimination in hiring, and the role of the police organization. Further chapters provide suggestions and information for developing a second career and explain techniques for stress management and maintaining physical health. Figures, index, 183 references, and appended pre- retirement training model, sample materials for job searches, and list of planning steps for retirement are included.