POLICE UNIONS - A STEP TOWARD PROFESSIONALISM

• NCJ Number: 31044
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 400-404
• Author(s): R M Ayres
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Northwestern University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR DISPUTES THE CONTENTION THAT POLICE UNIONS AND THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE NECESSARILY INCOMPATIBLE, AND ARGUES THAT UNIONIZATION MAY, IN FACT, HELP TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM.

Abstract

EXAMINED IS THE PREMISE THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THEY RELATE TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY, AS WELL AS THE UPGRADING OF POLICE STANDARDS AND QUALIFICATIONS, ARE SUBSERVIENT TO THE UNION'S INTEREST OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL BETTERMENT AND IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS. THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT UNIONS, IN REMOVING JOB DISSATISFACTION ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH THINGS AS COMPANY POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, WORKING CONDITIONS, SALARY, STATUS, AND SECURITY, ACTUALLY MAKE WAY FOR A STEP TOWARD PROFESSIONALISM, BY MAKING EMPLOYEES MORE RECEPTIVE TO MANAGEMENT EFFORTS TO MOTIVATE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE.