Date of Conferral

11-7-2024

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Richard Worch

Abstract

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been faced with the challenge of having their trained criminal investigators voluntarily leave. This study explored factors that could make these detectives leave the JCF and strategies to retain them. The job embeddedness theory was used to better understand the factors that would make these specialists stay in the JCF. A qualitative single case study design was employed using a purposive sample of 15 participants responding to an anonymous online qualitative survey using Google Forms and 15 redacted exit interview forms completed by former detectives. The survey utilized three closed-ended and 14 open-ended questions to explore factors contributing to police turnover in the literature review and the recommended retention strategies. The emergent themes were derived from several codes and triangulated with themes from the exit interview forms. The need to improve salary and benefits, the need for enhanced support for work-life balance, the need to improve opportunities for promotion, the need to increase opportunities for professional and training, and the need to enhance inclusivity of rank-and-file members in the CIB department emerged as strategies to reduce turnover and manage retention. JCF police managers can use the results to lobby for better compensation and assess the organizational support and working environment in the CIB departments to reduce turnover and manage retention. Positive social change may be impacted by having a cadre of highly motivated trained criminal investigators contributing effectively to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s crime reduction efforts through criminal investigations and improving the relationship with the communities that they serve.

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