Predictors of job satisfaction among police officers: a test of goal-setting theory

The present study aims to explain the antecedents of police officers’ job satisfaction within the framework of Locke and Latham’s goal-setting theory. Specifically, it is suggested that goal difficulty, goal specificity, feedback, self-efficacy, goal commitment, and participation in goal-setting enhance police officers’ job satisfaction. Hypotheses are tested with data from 1970 police officers working at three different police departments. The results indicate that goal specificity, feedback, and participation are significant and positive predictors of job satisfaction. However, the results indicate no significant relationship between goal difficulty, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction. Overall, the results suggest goal-setting theory could be used to enhance job satisfaction among police officers. Practical implications and future research directions are discussed.