Research indicates several important differences between a variety of sub-cultural groups nested within the larger police culture that newcomers to law enforcement must come to grips with. The investigative culture of detectives is one such police sub-culture that this paper is concerned with in relation to how newcomers use colleagues as role models. Newcomers use several role models, adopting different types of knowledge in order to create their own personal style as police investigators. In accordance with the partial use of role models, the newcomer needs access to several potential role models. Role models represent different investigation thinking styles, such as the method, challenge, skills, or risk style. Role models enable the newcomer to acquire needed knowledge for making a choice concerning which investigation style to choose. First, by reviewing the characteristics of role models and their thinking style they use individuals that best fit to their own perceptions. Second, it is necessary to obtain knowledge directly through interaction with those role models. This is particularly the case when a thinking style involves the use of extensive tacit knowledge. Finally, who newcomers identifies with is important for whom they prefers to use as role model(s). To what extent newcomers use role models is a result of own expectations and self-confidence, which is related to the degree to which the newcomer is proactive in own learning. Proactive newcomers get access to informal learning arenas and build relationships with successful detectives. Proactive newcomers have access to more knowledge and are more likely to succeed in their new jobs. Less proactive and insecure newcomers are less likely to succeed as a result of not obtaining enough knowledge and experience together with established colleagues.
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