Examining the Career Plateau: Some Preliminary Findings

Abstract

This study examines the career plateau by comparing police officers having 15 or more years of service who had been promoted with those who had not. Although having similar career orientations when they began policing, officers at career plateau developed a nonwork orientation. Officers at plateau also reported less job satisfaction, greater psychological burnout and greater intention to leave policing. These negative experiences were not associated with poorer emotional and physical health however. Low commitment to work may have protected the officer at career plateau from these negative consequences.