Determinants of Police Motivation: A Case Study of a Police Service in the United Arab Emirates

Research on police motivation is rare within the Arab world, a region distinct for its economic, cultural, religious, and social landscape, compared to the commonly studied Western settings. Addressing this gap, we integrated frameworks of motivational theory into a comprehensive survey completed by over 350 officers from a single police department in the United Arab Emirates. Our study examined factors derived from expectancy, goal-setting, and public service motivation theories, coupled with the job characteristic model. Furthermore, we investigated the potential impacts of hygiene factors on police motivation. Employing logistic regression analysis, we discerned factors associated with decreased motivation. Notably, gender, performance feedback, work-life balance and quality, and social support emerged as significant. We discuss these in the context of existing literature, examining if police motivation can be considered universal or if it is swayed by region-specific influences Our research design offers replicability, granting police agencies the blueprint to gauge both organizational and individual officer motivation and implement tailored interventions if deemed necessary.