Abstract
Today’s criminal investigation departments face increasing demands. The investigators are required to work efficiently and maintain high quality investigation, whilst working in a bureaucratic system with tight resource constraints. However, few studies have examined how the work environment pertains to the investigative work. This study aims to empirically test the degree to which the two different work environment instruments, the Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) and Assessing the Climate for Creativity (KEYS), differ in their ability to capture work environment features of the investigative work in the Norwegian police force. Semi-structured SWOT interviews were conducted on 51 informants from 16 police districts. The information obtained were subjected to content analysis and coded on the dimensions of the instruments and on four organizational levels. The results revealed no significant differences between the instruments’ ability to account for reflections on the work environment. The results showed significant differences between the organizational levels, and revealed an interaction effect between JDS and KEYS on the organizational level. This study shows that the work environment is perceived as an important aspect of the quality of investigative work in the Norwegian police force. This may have practical implications for assessment of the work environment in police organizations.