Business Commons^™

The Effects Of Stress In The Workplace : An Investigation Of The Impact Stress Has On The Personal And Work Lives Of Police Officers Of The Fairfax County Police Department, Britta A. Connolly

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the ways in which stress impacts the lives of police officers. A survey and observations were conducted at all levels of patrol within the Fairfax County Police Department to determine the impact of stress in the law enforcement environment. The results revealed stress on police officers were manageable yet several areas surfaced that increased stress. Areas where stress impacted the officers were health, absenteeism, and turnover. In order to manage the effects of stress for officers, the department must address and hold their employees as the most important asset in the organization.

Participation In The Police Promotional Process For The Rank Of Sergeant Within The Fairfax County Police Department Fairfax, Virginia, Purvis L. Dawson Jr

Master's Theses

Police Departments across the country are experiencing vast numbers of veteran supervisory and command personnel retiring from public service. Without careful planning, these retirements can create a leadership void that will be difficult to fill with well-qualified candidates. These separations pose a loss of institutional knowledge, expertise and leadership continuity. The research conducted focused on the underlying reasons why highly-competent, experienced police officers are refusing to advance their law enforcement careers in becoming supervisors. The study included a review of the published literature and surveys being administered to 105 non-supervisory Fairfax County Police Officers on their interest in becoming a …

The Evolution Of Law Enforcement : The Generational Differences Of The New Police Officer And How To Attract Them To Your Agency, Mark Anthony Banks

Master's Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to enhance the knowledge of the generational differences in the law enforcement profession. With this knowledge, it is hopeful that, agencies will change their current recruiting strategies and gear them towards today's new generation of law enforcement officer. The overall goal of this study was enlighten Henrico County and Chesterfield county administrators of concerns facing employee recruiting within law enforcement so proactive efforts can be taken to curb ineffective and outdated recruiting strategies and methods.

An Anecdotal Examination Of Wellness Programs, Sean M. Greenway

Master's Theses

This research investigates the question whether or not Wellness Programs are available to police officers throughout Virginia. Research has shown these programs to be beneficial in reducing the health risks associated with police work. Police departments may also see a decrease in sick leave and work related injuries. In order to address the research question, a questionnaire was distributed to 150 police departments throughout Virginia. A total of 57.7 percent of the departments reported the availability of a voluntary Wellness Program. Based on a lack of data, the findings suggest that the departments are not evaluating the effectiveness of their …

Competencies Of The Law Enforcement Special Operator : Implications For Law Enforcement Organizations And Police Special Operations, Geoffrey C. Greene

Master's Theses

The law enforcement special operations environment is changing. Officers are faced with challenges that are increasing in complexity as weapons availability and acts of terrorism force the tactical community to respond with better training and tactics. The purpose of this study is to identify a competency model needed to successfully perform as a law enforcement special operator over the next 5-10 years. In addition, the study identifies the core competencies that formulate the Law Enforcement Special Operator Competency Model. Implications for how police organizations can use the research for professional development are also discussed. This study utilizes three distinct phases …

Stressors On The Detectives Of The Prince William County Police Department, William P. Mackay

Master's Theses

Law enforcement is a highly stressful occupation, with law enforcement officials facing critical incidents such as violent crime scenes and potential loss of life. These incidents, however, are not a daily occurrence. The most common daily stressors associated with law enforcement originate from the law enforcement organization itself, the daily interactions with coworkers, the usage or misusage of the assigned equipment, and the individual's perception of the work environment. This study collected survey data to analyze the prevalence and effects of the daily stressors perceived by the detectives of the Prince William County Police Department. This study identified three areas …

The Effect Of Technology In The Workplace : An Investigation Of The Impact Of Technology On The Personal And Work Life Of Mid Level Managers Of The Fairfax County Police Department, Paul G. Mitchell

Master's Theses

This study addressed the effects of technology on our work and personal lives. Focusing on communication tools the investigation sought to determine what issues are created by this constant ability to communicate. A survey was conducted of mid-level managers within the Fairfax County Police Department to determine the effects technology had on their work and personal lives. In addition to the survey, interviews and observations where used. The results revealed that technology doesn't have a negative affect on those surveyed. The majority of data collected shows a positive response toward communication devices. Technology allows for speed and ease of task …

Police Perceptions : External Influences Affecting Work Satisfaction, Ryan Wayne Morgan

Master's Theses

There are many individuals that apply for police officer positions. Some of those hired find the job challenging and rewarding, others leave unexpectedly. The newly hired that separate from the organization early in their career can have a negative impact on the police department. It is believed many of newly hired officers that leave unexpectedly may have not had an accurate perception of what the job entailed from the beginning. To gauge where police applicants from their perceptions of police work, newly hired police officers in Fairfax County were surveyed. The study was designed to take into account common perceptions …

Perceptions Of Performance And Behavior Of College Educated Police Officers, Paul Edmund Nagosky

Master's Theses

Good police applicants are becoming scarcer and many agencies have lowered their hiring standard to fill academy classes. In this labor pool environment is it worth having a college education requirement? Is the performance of college educated officers superior to that of non-college educated officers?

An opinion survey was issued to officers and sergeants of the Chesterfield County Police Department regarding how they felt toward college education and its effect, if any on several aspects of police performance.

In some aspects of performance or behavior, such as sensitivity to minorities, authoritarianism, and use of force, there were slight tendencies for …

Recruitment And Retention Challenges For Law Enforcement Agencies : Identifying The Reasons For High Turnover Rates Of New Recruits, Scott A. Kearns

Master's Theses

The problem addressed in this study is the challenge to police agencies to

recruit and retain police officers. The Prince William County Police Department

(PWCPD) has experienced the challenges of filling sworn positions as we

continue to sustain our fully authorized staffing levels. This is a phenomenon

many agencies across the nation are experiencing. A survey was used to identify

the reasons for selecting the PWCPD for employment and what can be done to

retain employees to ensure a positive return-on-investment. A multi-step process

was followed in creating, distributing and analyzing the survey. Results lead to

the following conclusions: knowing …

Generational Competence And Retention : A Study Of Different Generations In Law Enforcement And How These Differences Impact Retention In The Chesterfield County Police Department, Gary Scott Edwards

Master's Theses

There are currently four distinct generations in today's workforce (Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials). This presents unique challenges for employers since each of these generations is affected and shaped by different events in their lives, which define the values they bring to work. These differences can be increasingly difficult to manage and may lead to conflicts. Significant research has been conducted in this area, but little has focused on public sector employees, specifically sworn law enforcement officers. This research examines whether generational differences observed in society as a whole are the same as those differences found in law …