The purpose of this study was to determine if there has been a change to the scores on the Texas State Peace Officer Licensing Examination over a given time, and if been a so, identify subjects where scores improved or declined. By recognizing stagnation or declination in test scores, interventions can be designed to enhance the adult learning…

This paper probes whether a formal college education is linked to the quality of policing. Citizens desire a higher level of professionalism with ever-increasing demands placed on their police departments. Annual on-the-job training for police is common with proposed reform initiatives, however, the difference between police training and requiring…

As the learning needs of adults grow in the workplace and society, there is a need to understand the specificities of adult learning and how to support and guide adult learning at work. This article explores the applicability of andragogical theory to learning at work. The research seeks answers to the following question: What are the (individual…

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Toronto Police Service was exploring how to increase access to higher education to its officers. The service saw higher education as salient to its organizational imperatives of professionalization, increased public legitimacy and credibility, and enhanced academic recognition of police professional learning.…

This embedded, single-case study involved one police department in a jurisdiction containing indicators that human trafficking is present. This research sought to determine if specialized training on the indicators of human trafficking and the victim-centered approach to investigating these crimes would increase the number of cases being reported…

Law enforcement officers are entrusted with the most sacred of responsibilities, that of protecting and serving the community, safeguarding their property, and protecting the innocent from those who wish to do them harm or cause disorder. In preparation for this challenge, every police officer must undergo and successfully complete a police…

Jewish Community Action (JCA) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota, that, in collaboration with Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)-led groups, equips Jewish people residing in the state to advocate for racial and economic justice. Community education and outreach are central to this work. JCA's Decriminalizing…

Over the last thirty years Community Oriented Policing (COP) has spawned advancements in creating community partnerships with law enforcement agencies. Agencies that focus on such partnerships have served to reduce crime and resolve conflict. However, community opinions towards law enforcement have become increasingly negative due to recent civil…

To understand increases in student share of net tuition for state colleges and universities, resulting from state financial decreases in support for higher education, a quantitative, longitudinal, multi-level analysis of data from all 50 states in the USA from 1992 to 2013 was examined. Five hypotheses related to (1) growth in student share of net…

Many people are not aware of how significant a role two-year institutions play in training emergency first responders. Community colleges play a key role in training the nation's police officers and other public safety employees, such as firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The demand for these programs is high. There is a…

The purpose of this qualitative holistic multiple-case study was to identify the optimal theoretical approach for a Counter-Terrorism Reality-Based Training (CTRBT) model to train post-9/11 police officers to perform effectively in their counter-terrorism assignments. Post-9/11 police officers assigned to counter-terrorism duties are not trained…

Gay men face decisions associated with disclosure, the process of coming out as gay, when and if to disclose, and how much information. These decisions carry more weight in masculinized industries such as law enforcement. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to critically explore gay male law enforcement officers' experiences working in…

For some time scholars have been advocating the application of adult learning techniques such as andragogy to police recruit training. This study attempted to further that discussion by determining how police recruits make meaning while attending the police academy. Through observations, interviews, and reflective journaling, data were collected.…

This paper suggests that complex practice dilemmas call for thick stories of masterful practice that don't ignore the tensions and ambiguities involved. The paper draws on an Australian study of policing as a fruitful example. Academic commentary suggests policing is beset with practice dilemmas unique in their complexity. However, empirical…

This is a nationwide six-year data study of law enforcement training and professional development in relationship to workplace productivity. Why do we care about law enforcement training and professional development? Because the law enforcement environment is not standing still. Unlawful activity, and in particular drug trafficking strategies,…