This paper analyzes the role of police administrators and officers in motivation and control in their organization, based on the case of Lt. Morse.
This paper explains that an authoritarian military style of management of the police officers used in earlier days worked efficiently as the officers were unskilled, lower educated, and sometimes unethical. Police officers today are more educated and technically competent than they were in the past and require a different style of management. The author believes that the role officers can play in their own motivation is to want to improve and show cooperation with the administrators; the rest of the role in motivation still lies with the police administrators. The paper states that the major challenge in the motivation of police officers lies in reducing cynicism and motivating officers to perform better.
Table of Contents
Relationship between the Amount of Supervision and Control
Balance between Control and Motivation
The Case of Lt. Morse and an Accountability System
Officers Role in Creating a Motivating Environment
Does Motivation Only Come From Within?
Role Of Police Administrators in Motivation
Unique Issues within Police Organizations
Table of Contents
Relationship between the Amount of Supervision and Control
Balance between Control and Motivation
The Case of Lt. Morse and an Accountability System
Officers Role in Creating a Motivating Environment
Does Motivation Only Come From Within?
Role Of Police Administrators in Motivation
Unique Issues within Police Organizations
“As the two of the concerns are indirectly related, it is important for police supervisors to balance the increase in one with the increase in the other. The increasing level of supervision and accountability leaves officer demoralized if motivational measures are not taken up to balance the situation. It is very important that officers are motivated due to the nature of the job. Officers need to be constantly motivated to control crime on the streets. Inefficiencies of officers may trigger a wave of crime in the society. Thus, supervisors must employ various measures to sustain officer morale.”