Aim: The police have stable goals, values and rules. It has a specific organisational culture, for which it is increasingly challenging to find a population that can socialise in this specific milieu and develop a police identity. Two important segments of police training are considered in our study. Generational and motivational aspects affecting recruitment, on-boarding and staff retention. Drawing on the international literature, we describe the effects of generational differences and present the results of pilot research on motivational background. Our aim was to explore the commitment of police personnel to the organisation and the underlying meaning behind it.
Methodology: Our questionnaire was completed by police officers (n=101) who have at least 1-2 years of law enforcement experience. Questions were asked on the retention strength of the police and on external and internal motivational factors.
Findings: The results show that the main reasons for staying in the profession are financial constraints and a sense of vocation. Among the work motivation factors, the sense of challenge and achievement, and the experience of positive moral status stand out. In the long term, the financial aspect, the reduction of the retirement age and the opportunities for promotion are key motivational factors.
Value: Although the empirical results do not allow us to draw far-reaching conclusions, they do provide an opportunity for deeper reflection.