Exploring models for employee satisifaction--with particular reference to a police force

The importance of measuring employee attitudes and levels of satisfaction and commitment is well recognized. This is particularly relevant when many employees work in direct contact with customers, and this is manifestly the case with the police services. The quality of employee and public interaction is likely to influence feelings of both staff and customer satisfaction and vice versa. It is, therefore, also of importance to assess the key determinants of employee satisfaction. This analysis of the 1996 South Yorkshire Police opinion survey demonstrates much consistency of findings with models from the private sector. Management culture and organizational practice, particularly in respect of perceived openness and fairness in promotion and selection and the quality of communication with more senior staff, are vital factors here.