Leader Behavior in a Police Organization Revisited

Abstract

For a sample of police personnel, a longitudinal design was employed to examine the relationships between leader role clarification behaviors and subordinate job satisfaction and attitudes toward citizenry as well as the role of perceived skill variety as a potential moderator of those relationships. Further, both the relationships of perceived skill variety to employee responses and the potential moderating role of job longevity on those relationships were considered. Only weak support was provided for the contention that leader role clarification behaviors are favorably associated with subordinate responses. Contrary to the findings of previous studies, relationships of skill variety to responses were weak and inconsistent and neither perceived skill variety nor job longevity played a meaningful moderating role on focal relationships. Relevant differences between the current and past studies, implications of findings of the current study, and suggestions for future research are presented.