Effective policing: management influence and the commitment of senior police personnel

Abstract

This study explores the factors influencing senior police officer (Inspector level and above) commitment and desire to remain with the police organisation. Previous research with lower level officers suggests that both are strongly influenced by how these individuals are managed. Yet, research largely neglects whether the same factors are salient to retaining the more senior ranks. Based on survey and questionnaire data from one Australian police organisation, this research finds that Senior Officers (SOs) who do not feel valued, are disillusioned with organisational leadership or who perceive that they can ‘no longer make a difference’, feel less committed to the police organisation and are more inclined to leave. In addition, different and more complex issues influence both the organisational commitment and perceived organisational support of SOs as compared to those of the lower ranks. This implies that if the incentives for officers are primarily instrumental in nature (e.g. higher pay and pension payments), fiscal constraints will present greater challenges for police retention of the senior ranks in the short term and overall organisational efficiency and effectiveness in the long term.