Barriers and Ways to Improve Working Performance of the Police Volunteers of Latphrao Police Station, Bangkok Thailand.

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to 1. to examine problems and obstacles in working of the police volunteers in the responsible area of Latphrao police station, Bangkok, Thailand, and 2.to suggest the ways of their improvement. This study was qualitative research. The research tool was interview form and the data was collected by using an in-depth interview technique. There were three different target groups including six police volunteers, two police officers, and two community members which based on purposive sampling. Then applying this data and related documents for content analysis. The findings revealed that 1)the police volunteers were confronted with six main problems including 1.1) noncooperation with the young generation and the selection process, 1.2) the lack of financial support and adequate equipment, 1.3) the lack of sufficient training, 1.4) the problem of team building such as  reshuffling of new commanders annually, 1.5) the issue of noncooperation between community members and leader such as lacking communication skills with youth, and 1.6) the loss of credibility when some of the volunteers violated the law themselves and 2) there were 7 ways to improve police volunteer performance consisting 2.1) the Thai government (or the Royal Thai Police) should increase the number of police volunteer by encouraging more young generation to be a part of police volunteer, 2.2) should determine an age limit for volunteers, 2.3) should give them some sufficient resources, such as equipment and welfare, 2.4) also should allow formal training, 2.5) should give more chances for police volunteers to participate in police activities, 2.6) monthly evaluation of volunteers and 2.7) engage law enforcement, police volunteers, community leader and members to attend and participate in meetings.