Police Professionalization and Police Unions

Abstract

The authors examine the validity of applying the traditional model of the professions to the police, analyze the role of police unions in the police professionallzation process, and reach four conclusions (I) the police are not a profession in the traditional sense; (2) the traditional professional model is inappropriate for the police; (3) the impact of police unions upon the police quest for professional status has been negative; and (4) police unions will play an important role in future occupational developments.

Organizational stressors and police performance

“…For example, Jones, Flynn and Kelloway (1995) found that low role conflict and ambiguity are positively related to perceived organizational support; Wilson (1968:53) found that creating reasonable performance standards may give employees "a better sense of what is expected of them...The objectives are much clearer and less ambiguous; " Skolnick (1968:180) found that the employee "always tried to perform according to his most concrete and specific understanding of the control system;" and Kuykendall (1975) noted that "...the essential elements for any control system include the development of standards for performance, observations for deviations from these standards, determination of the causes of deviation and implementation of corrective action" (in Meagher, 1986:69 (Feuille and Juris, 1976), which enhances the power and prestige of the vocation (Goode, 1969).…”

Impacts of a Deprofessionalized Service Model: The Case of Community Response to Foot Patrol

“…Uncertainties about what crimes are most important and whose definitions are important to organizational survival may be two of the most critical areas of uncertainty. Police uncertainty about whether catching criminals or maintaining public safety and confidence is the real community mandate may be a third area of uncertainty (Feuille and Juris, 1976;Angell, 1976). Wilson and Kelling agreed that police believe they will be judged only as crime fighters and suggest that police need to develop more awareness of community-level concerns (1982).…”

Becoming the Camera: Body Worn Video and Shifting Expectations of Police Work

“…These developments have not only allowed police culture to emerge and thrive, they have also shielded policing from reform and external or civilian oversight. As suggested by Feuille and Juris (1976), occupations seek to become recognized and accepted as professions because of the benefits that accompany such recognition: increased prestige, income, and power (p. 90-91). Further, Feuille and Juris (1976) argue that, "from the group's point of view, such collective autonomy is desirable for having it means that the group is able to exercise considerable control over the professional-client relationship, rather than having outsiders exercise such control" (p. 91).…”

“…As suggested by Feuille and Juris (1976), occupations seek to become recognized and accepted as professions because of the benefits that accompany such recognition: increased prestige, income, and power (p. 90-91). Further, Feuille and Juris (1976) argue that, "from the group's point of view, such collective autonomy is desirable for having it means that the group is able to exercise considerable control over the professional-client relationship, rather than having outsiders exercise such control" (p. 91). The quest for power and autonomy through professionalization has been a main consideration for police (Brown 1981;Feuille & Juris 1976;Green & Gates 2014;Manning 1977;Potts 1982;Price 1977).…”

“…Unions have actively pushed for this autonomy and discretion, and have systematically shot down attempts at external oversight (Feuille & Juris, 1976). Although it can be argued that police unions have traditionally acted inconsistently with the process of professionalization they have been clearly in line with the process when it comes to autonomy and control (Feuille & Juris 1976). Police unions have launched public relations campaigns in order to counteract negative publicity, which we continue to see today in the rhetoric surrounding the most public cases of police misconduct and brutality.…”