Professionalism in Policing: Assessing the Professionalization Movement

This study examines police professionalism by using Hall’s professionalism scale. Questionnaires (N = 1,953) were mailed to all municipal police depart-ments with 50 or more sworn personnel in one southern state, producing 1,114 responses (57 % response rate) from 16 participating departments. Analysis revealed that professionalism attitudes did not differ significantly among agencies. Findings also revealed above-average professionalism attitudes on all dimensions (organizational referent, public service, self-regulation, calling, and autonomy). Based on these findings, the authors conclude that policing is closely aligned with the primary components of professionalism. Findings also reveal, however, that officers are content with low levels of actual autonomy; thus, policing must maintain progressive efforts if it hopes to one day achieve status as a profession. Key Words: Police professionalism! police professionalization! police professions From the colonial period’s constables and night watchmen to the modern era of community policing, U.S. law enforcement has pursued professional status. Society, though, has myria