Education Level and Police Use of Force: The Impact of a College Degree

by John Vespucci

Overview

This brief presents a study addressing the impact of a college degree upon officer use of force. The average American municipal police academy only requires 26 weeks of training, despite previous studies showing overwhelming support that college educated police officers apply more discretion in their use of force than officers without a college degree. Taking into account contemporary public/police conflicts and how American perceptions of police are based largely on officer use of force, this study offers a more current perspective on the profession’s changing dynamic over the past decade.

With data gathered from over 400 officers from 143 distinct municipal police agencies in 6 American states, the study examines the association between a college education and the level of force used to gain compliance during arrest situations, and notes discrepancies between previously studied factors and contextual variables. This brief will be useful for researchers of policingand for those involved with police training.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030427948
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	05/08/2020
Series:	SpringerBriefs in Criminology
Edition description:	1st ed. 2020
Pages:	56
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Vespucci, PhD, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Faculty Associate at Arizona State University, School of Criminal Justice and a police officer in New York State for the past 24 years.

Table of Contents

Introduction.- Chapter 1: Use of Force Defined.- Chapter 2: Police Officer Training and Education.- Chapter 3: The Use Of Force.- Chapter 4: The Relationship Between Education and Policing Skill Sets.- Chapter 5: Theoretical Framework.- Chapter 6: Contemporary Research.- Chapter 7: Discussion and Conclusion.