Longitudinal Analysis of Job Satisfaction in the Slovenian Police Service

The paper examines the results of a job satisfaction survey of employees of the Police Service in Slovenia, whereby the data from surveys conducted in 2002, 2009 and 2012 are compared and analysed. In the framework of the targeted research project entitled ‘The establishment of a system for efficiency, effectiveness and quality measurement in the Slovenian Police Service’, that was financed by the Ministry of the Interior, a survey on the job satisfaction and trust of police service employees was conducted in March 2012. On the basis of earlier job satisfaction surveys (in 2002 and 2009) and their analysis, the 2012 survey was conducted after having been appropriately arranged and supplemented. All employees of the Slovenian Police Service were invited, including those from the General Police Directorate (GPD). In order to assure an adequate comparison over time, the employees from the General Police Directorate were excluded from the final sample. The analysis focuses on the impact of demographic characteristics on perceived job satisfaction on different levels of hierarchy. Using a secondary analysis of the database from 2002 and 2009, the data were acquired and then compared with the results of our survey. In a 10-year period the biggest drop in perceived satisfaction involved the possibility of performing work autonomously, the promotion system, the relationships among the staff. Compared to 2002, in 2012 Police employees were more satisfied with working hours, leadership style in the organizational unit and joblocation. The 2012 analysis showed that most employees would like to see changes in reward system and in working conditions (premises/equipment).