Onwards and Upwards in Police Ranks: An Analysis of the Experiences of Officers Navigating the Promotion System

• In Event: Law Enforcement Attitudes Toward Leadership, Promotion, and Change

Abstract

Despite the importance of leadership within policing agencies, surprisingly little systematic empirical research has been undertaken. Establishing an evidence base on which to support the capability of police organisations to attract, identify, train and retain those most able to drive police performance and organisational management must be a priority. The research examines the attitudes and experiences of a sample of Australian police officers, employed in a state police agency, who have completed in-service leadership training. The study identifies the push and pulls factors that influence participation in the police promotion system. Specifically, gender differences are examined. The under-representation of female officers in senior ranks represents a growing and under-utilised resource of police agencies that must be better understood.

Authors

• Jacqueline Drew, Griffith University

• Jason Saunders, Queensland Police Service