Analysis of the Dimensions and Influencing Factors of the Motivation to Join the Police Force—An Empirical Study Based on a Survey of 726 Police Cadets

报考公安院校成为一股社会潮流，但是鲜有研究关注我国高中毕业生为何选择公安院校。通过对某公安院校726名在校学生进行调研，发现当前公安院校学生的入警动机可以归纳为理想正义、福利待遇、权力地位和亲友影响。其中，理想正义是最重要的入警动机，福利待遇次之，而权力地位和亲友影响的动机影响较小。性别、非独生子女、父亲是警察和高考成绩对不同维度的入警动机产生了显著性影响。研究结果有助于招生方案和培养计划的制定和完善。Enrolling in public security colleges has become a social trend, yet few studies have explored why high school graduates in China choose these institutions. This study surveyed 726 students at a provincial public security college in Jiangsu Province and identified four main motivations for joining the police force: idealism and justice, welfare and benefits, power and status, and social capital. Among these, idealism and justice emerged as the most significant motivation, followed by welfare and benefits, while power and status and social capital had relatively minor influences. Gender, being a non-only child, having a father who is a police officer, and college entrance examination (Gaokao) scores significantly affected these motivations. The findings provide valuable insights for the development and improvement of recruitment plans and training programs.