Rethinking the Response of Part-Time Professionals: The Case of the Part-Time Police Officer

Abstract

Despite marginalisation in the workplace, the part-time professional has been found to express acceptance towards their position. It has been suggested that the part-time professional chooses to prioritise non-work activities and is therefore untroubled by their marginal status. This paper however, adopts a social constructionist approach and considers the way in which choices are influenced by societal and discursive forces. This paper draws upon a study of female, part-time police officers and concludes that their acceptance may be part of the ongoing identity work of the part-time professional.

Keywords:

• part-time professional
• identity
• discourse
• subject position

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the ESRC who provided funding for this project. Grant ref: RA103593. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Penny Dick who commented on earlier drafts of this manuscript. I would also particularly like to thank Dr. Peter McInnes for his editorial assistance and helpful suggestions on how to improve earlier drafts of this article.

Notes

4. Hoque et al., op. cit.

10. Edwards & Robinson, 2001, op. cit.

14. Edwards et al., op. cit.

15. Dick, op. cit.

16. Edwards & Robinson, 2001, op. cit.

17. Edwards & Robinson 1999, op. cit.

20. Edwards & 1999, op. cit.

22. Dick, op. cit.

23. Edwards & Robinson, 1999, op. cit.

24. Hakim, 2000, op. cit.

25. Hakim, 1991, op. cit.

26. MacDermid et al., op. cit.

28. Ibid.

29. Hakim, 2000, op. cit.

35. Ibid.

37. Dick & Hyde, 2006.

38. Ibid.

39. Ibid.

45. Dick & Hyde, 2006.

50. Ibid.

56. Burr, op. cit.

59. Mama, op. cit.

60. Hakim, 1991, op. cit.

62. Tuffin et al., op. cit.

63. Dick & Hyde, op. cit.

64. Thomas, R. & Davies, op. cit.

65. Edwards & Robinson, 2001, op. cit.

66. Shaw et al., op. cit.

67. Dick, 2004, op. cit.

68. Edwards & Robinson, 1999, op. cit.

69. Hakim, 2000, op. cit.

70. Thomas & Davis, 2005; 687.

71. Dick & Cassell, 2004, op. cit.

72. Thomas & Davis, 2005, op. cit.

73. Burr, 2003, op. cit.