Management development and training in the police: a survey of the promotion process

Abstract

Little is known generally about the content and process of promotion in the police forces in the UK. Surveys 128 officers from a large police force who have been promoted recently from constable to sergeant. Reports their views on the timing, content and effectiveness of both on‐the‐job pre‐promotion training (known as acting duties) and formal training courses for newly promoted officers. Identifies shortcomings and makes suggestions for improvements. Of particular interest is the desire for management training of a general rather than police‐specific nature and for more exposure to knowledge and experience of management theory and practice in non‐police organizations. The findings suggest greater collaboration between police career development and training departments and non‐police management trainers.

Citation

Gaston, K.C. and King, L. (1995), "Management development and training in the police: a survey of the promotion process", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 19 No. 7, pp. 20-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090599510092954