“Just what are these students going to do when they get back.”  I’ve asked myself that question many times in the past five years as our division of the I.A.I. has held an annual Crime Scene Investigation class at the Marshall County Sheriff Office.  As instructors, we plan extensively for the September class year after year.  Typically, we turn down prospective attendees.  That being said, we know that the class is needed, and that Administrators apparently value the training we offer.  But I still ask myself the same question, because I know very well what can happen.  Let’s face it, our profession is technologically orientated; what with the MDC’s in the squad cars, tasers, alternate light sources (ALS), dust print lifters, etc.  Couple that with the fact that our profession is scrutinized more than ever before, both by the media and public.  Taking all factors into consideration, it’s no wonder that officers on the street, as well as criminalists in the lab feel pressure to perform.  Past experience tells me that pressure leads to stress, and stress can lead to a lack of confidence to perform.  Finally, lack of confidence can lead to poor production.  Our agency has experienced quite a bit of turnover of late, with thirteen new Officers hired in the past four years.  That translates to approximately thirty percent our force having less than four years on the job.  Inexperience can breed a lack of confidence, and so the cycle continues.

In the first week of December 2004, I began accumulating statistics on confidence and concerns of those in our profession.  I made the survey available to Iowa I.A.I. members via an e-mail attachment, published an invitation to participate for readers of 4N6 in the January ’05 issue, as well as making it available on our website.  In no way was I prepared for what was to follow.  In the first weekend, our website locked up and went off line due to heavy traffic.  Returns from those I e-mailed the survey to filled my mailboxes both at work and home.  It was especially gratifying that nearly everyone made a notation on the bottom of the survey that they wanted results sent to them when completed.  A complete report of the information I got via the two-page survey will be sent off to those requesting it soon, and I am presenting the following summary.

I ended the survey by asking all respondents to list five concerns they have about their job.  I invited them to include hazards and intimidating factors.  It would be impossible to list every answer in the limited space remaining, but I can report that ALL concerns fit into the following categories.  The category of concern mentioned most often is at the top of the list, the second most often mentioned concern follows, etc.

To everyone who participated in the survey, I owe my sincere thanks.  Your assistance has helped me with a project I am working on for school.  Again … I will be forwarding a complete report to you very soon.  If you did not participate in the survey, but would like a complete report, please let me know by dropping me an e-mail.

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