Volunteers in Police Service: A case study of a medium-sized municipal law enforcement agency.

摘要

This dissertation examines the impact of a civilian volunteer program upon a medium-sized law enforcement agency. The researcher, using narrative inquiry, presents a case study of the Richardson (TX) Police Department from the unique perspective of program participants and government administrators. As a participant in the study, the researcher employs action research inside the organization to reveal a variety of themes that document the agency's development of a "Volunteers in Police Service" program in response to numerous external factors. After exploring the history of volunteer service in policing, the study analyzes informant interviews to reveal consistent themes which explain the department's approach to risk, reward, operations and opportunity. Ultimately, the stories form the foundation of the Richardson Police Department's response efforts to personnel shortages, economic shortfalls, and new opportunities for volunteer service, not only for the Richardson Police Department, but for other law enforcement agencies faced with similar challenges.