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The Police in America, 4/e
Samuel Walker, University of Nebraska
Charles M. Katz, Arizona State University-West

Officers and Organizations
Police Officers II: On the Job

Chapter Overview

New police officers often encounter a "reality shock" when they begin their law enforcement career. Perceptions and opinions about citizens, the criminal justice system and the department quickly change within the first few months of being on the job. This chapter first identifies various factors that affect officers' attitudes and behaviors. For example, one aspect of the organizational culture that may impact how officers view the nature of their job is the police subculture.

Next, discussions on various components that affect officers on the job are provided: the changing composition of rank-and-file, career development, performance evaluations, job satisfaction and stress, rights of police officers, and outside employment. The chapter concludes with an examination of turnover among police officers.