The consequences of professionalism among police chiefs

The importance of police professionalism has been noted widely, but few studies have evaluated its consequences empirically. In the present research we examine the impact of police chiefs' professionalism on three asspects of the police function: job satisfaction, work relations, and professionalization of the police occupation. Our findings show that chiefs' professionalism is a minimal predictor for these areas, and that, surprisingly, professionalism affects several criteria of professionalization in the direction opposite from what was expected. In conclusion we discuss the implications of our findings for the police reform movement.

Use of the concepts of professions, professionalization, professionalism, professional groups, and professionals abounds in the literature. Thus it is important that we provide our definitions of these concepts. Our meanings for these terms come from Vollmer and Mills (1966: vii–viii). Professions refers to an ideal type of occupational organization that provides the model for the form of the occupational organization which would result if any occupational group became professionalized. Professionalization is the process whereby occupations change characteristics in the direction of a profession. Professionalism refers to an ideology (set of attitudes) and a set of related activities that can be found in diverse occupational groups where members seek professional status. As an ideology, professionalism may induce members to strive to become professional; yet although professionalism may be a component of professionalization, professionalism in itself is not a sufficient cause for professionalization. Professional groups are associations of colleagues in an occupation where a relatively high degree of professionalization has taken place. Professionals are those considered by their colleagues too be members of professional groups.

Use of the concepts of professions, professionalization, professionalism, professional groups, and professionals abounds in the literature. Thus it is important that we provide our definitions of these concepts. Our meanings for these terms come from Vollmer and Mills (1966: vii–viii). Professions refers to an ideal type of occupational organization that provides the model for the form of the occupational organization which would result if any occupational group became professionalized. Professionalization is the process whereby occupations change characteristics in the direction of a profession. Professionalism refers to an ideology (set of attitudes) and a set of related activities that can be found in diverse occupational groups where members seek professional status. As an ideology, professionalism may induce members to strive to become professional; yet although professionalism may be a component of professionalization, professionalism in itself is not a sufficient cause for professionalization. Professional groups are associations of colleagues in an occupation where a relatively high degree of professionalization has taken place. Professionals are those considered by their colleagues too be members of professional groups.

Notes

Use of the concepts of professions, professionalization, professionalism, professional groups, and professionals abounds in the literature. Thus it is important that we provide our definitions of these concepts. Our meanings for these terms come from Vollmer and Mills (1966: vii–viii). Professions refers to an ideal type of occupational organization that provides the model for the form of the occupational organization which would result if any occupational group became professionalized. Professionalization is the process whereby occupations change characteristics in the direction of a profession. Professionalism refers to an ideology (set of attitudes) and a set of related activities that can be found in diverse occupational groups where members seek professional status. As an ideology, professionalism may induce members to strive to become professional; yet although professionalism may be a component of professionalization, professionalism in itself is not a sufficient cause for professionalization. Professional groups are associations of colleagues in an occupation where a relatively high degree of professionalization has taken place. Professionals are those considered by their colleagues too be members of professional groups.