Evaluation of middle management development program within the South African Polic Service

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research focused on the development of middle managers within the South African PoliceServices in the Republic of South Africa. Management development and the current issueswithin the field of management development are discussed. Competencies and competencyrequirements for managers and specifically competency requirements for managers within agovernment sphere provide the background for the evaluation of the Middle ManagementLearning Programme (MMLP). This program is offered by the South African Police Servicesto their employees on middle management level. The legislative environment in whichdevelopment take place within South Africa establish an understanding of the kind of issuesthe South African Police Service deals with when developing their middle management corps. An overview of the Acts, policies and guidelines is provided followed by the discussion of theprogram content of the Middle Management Learning Programme. The research makes use ofa mixed method methodology through using both qualitative and quantitative researchmethods. The research is evaluative in nature and is evaluating the competencies taught in theprogramme against key competencies such as the American Management Association's(AMA) competency model and police management competencies. A questionnaire wasdeveloped and completed by members within the South African Police Service who attendedthe Middle Management Learning Program over a three year period (2011-2013). Thisquestionnaire was divided into 4 sections with section 1 covering biographical information,section 2 focused on Kirkpatrick's (1959) four levels typology on training interventions,section three is based on The AMA competency model and the last section is based on policemanagement competencies. The research results of the questionnaire are presented graphically in the form of histogramsand tables. In competencies such as action orientation, time management, mental flexibilityand agility, critical and analytical thinking, and creative thinking the research findings showthat there is room for improvement on these key competencies. Recommendation is made basedon these results for further development of the programme. The final chapter also makesrecommendations regarding the integration of development programs into a structuredframework and a potential model on development of managers within the SAPS is suggested.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University