Style of policing adopted by rural police and deputies: An analysis of job satisfaction and community policing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that policing research frequently commits two errors: focusing on urban police units and failing to incorporate theory. The current research considers the policing style adopted by officers in a rural setting and tests the utility of Work Redesign, a theory that explains the importance and role of satisfaction with work. Design/methodology/approach – Rural police officers in community policing and traditional motorized patrol assignments were surveyed regarding policing style, the perceived importance of various tasks, and time allocation. Findings – Findings suggest that community policing has a role in rural areas; however, officers generally endorse the practices of traditional motorized patrol uniformly while only community policing officers endorse COP practices. Research limitations/implications – Although generalizing findings derived from several police agencies to other agencies should be done with caution, the findings are potentially important to agency decision makers regarding assignment and implementation of community policing programs. Originality/value – This paper is of interest to those investigating: the impacts of assignment at the officer level, community policing, the influence of job satisfaction on work, and rural law enforcement.