Organizational cynicism in policing: Examining the development and growth of cynicism among new police recruits

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine organizational cynicism (OC) among new police officers. Specifically, this paper investigates what factors are predictive of baseline levels of OC among police recruits and the growth of cynicism over time in these young officers.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study are drawn from Phase I of the National Police Research Platform. Latent growth curve modeling is used to analyze data on 760 police recruits across five geographically diverse training academies within three distinct time periods (first day of academy, just before graduation, and six months post-graduation) to assess the development of OC in new police officers.

Findings

Several variables, including gender, race, and relations in policing exerted significant effects on a baseline level of OC and on growth in cynicism over time.

Practical implications

OC is an important topic for police administrators. Cynicism among employees can lead to undesirable organizational outcomes such as low job morale and satisfaction. Thus, it is important for police administrators to better understand the development and growth of OC in its personnel, particularly in new police officers.

Originality/value

This study builds on previous research and investigates an understudied topic in the literature by assessing the development and growth of OC among new police officers.

Citation

Enciso, G., Maskaly, J. and Donner, C.M. (2017), "Organizational cynicism in policing: Examining the development and growth of cynicism among new police recruits", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 86-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-07-2016-0120