NCJ Number
177949
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 403-418
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A case study was conducted within a cooperating municipal police agency where perceptions existed that women and minorities were not succeeding in the promotional process.
Abstract
A three-phased triangulation approach employing two surveys and focus group methods was used to gather data. More than 80 percent of promotion-eligible police officers, both black and white, were not interested in promotion to sergeant. Major reasons were satisfaction with present assignment and family obligations. A slightly higher proportion of minority candidates participated in the promotional process, but their average score was lower than that of white competitors. Analysis revealed a sense of helplessness and hopelessness among many minority respondents and focus group participants. Whites tended to devote more days to preparation and engaged in a richer variety of study methods. Overall, findings suggest that the police department should take steps to make the position of sergeant more attractive to a greater number of police officers and should make a more concerted effort to monitor and understand minority and women's issues. In addition, minority candidates should be effectively apprised of the effort required to score well on the promotional examination and should study more, and minority command police officers should assume a leadership role in mentoring minority promotional candidates. 33 references and 5 tables