Career decisions by Australian police officers: a cross-section of perspectives on entering, staying in and leaving policing careers

Abstract

Australian police officers (N = 182) who were staying in policing (n = 96), or undecided about staying (n = 57), and former police officers who had changed careers (n = 29) completed free-response questionnaires about their decisions to choose and stay in (or leave) policing careers. Thematic analysis of responses revealed different considerations by group. Categories of the kaleidoscope career model were used to evaluate the relative importance of themes by group. Retention strategies to meet police officers’ needs for authenticity, balance and challenge were suggested in light of salient themes at each major decision point.

Keywords:

• Australia
• police
• careers
• retention
• kaleidoscope career model
• qualitative research

Notes

1. Numbers are approximate because the states reported full-time equivalent sworn officers whereas Northern Territory and AFP reported total sworn officers employed (ABS, 2012).

2. Results of responses to survey questions were reported in (Howes & Goodman-Delahunty, forthcoming). This manuscript reports outcomes of previously unpublished open-ended responses.