Needs assessment for a pre-retirement programme in the South African Police Service

Abstract

The goal of this study was to conduct a needs assessment for a pre-retirement programme in the South African Police Service. The need for this study has arisen from the unavailability of a pre-retirement programme within the organisation which leads to the exit of employees, most probably unprepared for retirement, either in terms of financial or social aspects. The applied research study was conducted in order to explore the necessity for a pre-retirement programme in the South African Police Service. A quantitative research approach was utilised in order to gain numerical data that would determine the needs of both serving and retired employees of the South African Police Service. Two samples were utilised to collect data. The first sample which consisted of 80 units of analysis was for serving employees with a response rate of 100%. The second sample which consisted of 35 units of analysis was for retired employees with a response rate of 69%. A probability sampling method, known as simple random sampling was utilised to select the first sample of respondents. A non-probability sampling method in the form of purposive sampling was utilised for retired personnel. Two well-designed questionnaires were utilised to collect data from both serving as well as retired employees. The data presented statistically, transforming it into figures, percentages, tables, graphs and charts. All respondents signed a consent form prior to the commencement of data collection.

The findings of the study proved beyond reasonable doubt that the lack of a pre-retirement programme in the South African Police Service leads to the exit of personnel from the organisation even though they are not prepared for retirement. Therefore, based on these findings, it can be concluded that there is a need for a pre-retirement programme for the South African Police Service.