Police Motivation
A relationship does exist between control and motivation in a police force. Generally police officers are used to working under a fairly individual and self structured environment. Thus when new order is established it is often the source of conflict. In any environment the tendency of personnel is to close up and become less motivated the more control they perceive is being forced over them. A more authoritarian environment such as that under Captain Frebe often breeds resentment rather than discipline and a loyal workforce. It is important however that a chief working in this environment maintain some level of control over employees to maintain order.
How does a unit create balance? Anderson (1999) suggests that managers of a police department should try to distinguish themselves by maintaining an equal amount of concern for the needs of officers as well as the needs of a department.
Further managers have to be aware that there are many critics willing to point out all the things that are wrong rather than all the things that are going right within a given force. In general within a police agency, police officers are used to dispersing through a precinct either alone or in pairs and utilizing individual judgment over matters with "little direct oversight" with regard to responses and calls run (Anderson, 1999). The idea that...
The primary method that he could have accomplished this through is via open communication and participation from the officers. At no point in the case study was there mention that Captain Frebe took into consideration the ideas and suggestions of members of the force. Officers could do many things to create a motivating environment on the workforce. To motivate each other however and actually take pride in their work, they have to feel like they have a voice and are part of the organization as a whole.
They have to participate in decision making and help develop strategies for success that include motivation and the success of each member of the force. Captain Frebe should express his concerns over the problems he is facing and lack of motivation among team members with members of the force, and attempt to solve problems in a manner that encourages equal participation and an open forum. In that way none of the members of the force would feel alienated and all would be working toward the common good of the team.
Captain Frebe also failed to realize that the new rules and regulations he had implemented had actually increased…
