Citation

Perrott SB, Taylor DM. Crim. Justice Behav. 1995; 22(3): 326-339.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0093854895022003009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Rank may affect police attitudes because the occupational role and day-to-day experiences of police constables, their direct supervisors, and police managers vary considerably. This study compared a sample of constables (n = 123) and a sample of their immediate supervisors (n = 36) on measures of authoritarianism, perceived stress, job satisfactioin, and social nearness to several clearly defined groups. Although constables and their supervisors did not differ on perceived stress, supervisors reported significantly higher levels of authoritarianism, job satisfaction, and social nearness to certain groups. Lower levels of social nearness in the constable sample accompanied by lower levels of authoritarianism suggest that feelings of social nearness may result from situational factors. Explanations for these differences are proposed, and implications for the psychological well-being of police officers and for police-community relations are discussed.

Language: en