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An effective performance evaluation system is an essential part of an agency´s and an officer´s development. Evaluating performance is one of the most difficult jobs of any supervisor. There is no "magic formula" or "set procedure" which guarantees success. In this study, selected best practices of performance evaluation systems are compared and a new form is developed to help practitioners in criminal justice area. The main goal of this thesis was to examine the performance evaluations forms, procedures and criteria used in five police departments in the United States. Evaluation systems of Washington (D.C.), Arvada (Colorado), San Diego and Santa Barbara (California), Houston (Texas) Police Departments were selected for this study. These systems were compared with each other and with the system currently being used by the Turkish National Police. Finally, a new, flexible and well-designed performance evaluation system is developed. The final form is a great benefit to all those who deal with police performance evaluation around the world. This form can be improved and redesigned according to the needs of any department.

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Dr. Serdar Yildiz earned his Master of Arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2005, and his Ph.D. degree in 2008 from the College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, USA. He has been working as the Chief of Community Policing Department of Mardin City Police since 2008.

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