First Advisor

Dr. Jerry Yocom

College

College of Contemporary Liberal Studies

Degree Name

MS Criminology

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

114 pages

Abstract

This qualitative client applied study explained and explored a two-fold approach that could be used to implement policy changes that will aid small Ohio police departments in commissioning intellectually developed and psychologically suited individuals for employment in law enforcement. Several issues needed to be addressed in order to accomplish these policy changes. Criminological theories were correlated to deviant behaviors of criminally charged Ohio police officers. Past legislated police reform acts were addressed. Past studies of police officer higher education were analyzed. Finally, the implementation factors for psychological evaluations as a police academy pre-enrollment requirement were identified. This study, based on Grounded Theory, utilized a constant comparative method of past research into the benefits of higher education and the use of psychological evaluations. Content analysis of past research processed through open, axial, and selective coding of literal text revealed a gap in existing higher education literature and provided for a valid and reliable narrative analysis conclusion. The data revealed that an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice/police science combined with psychological evaluations were effective police academy pre-screening enrollment tools. This approach would aid small Ohio police departments in selecting not only state certified but qualified police officers.

Date of Award

Winter 2019

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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