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Research extensively covers the influence of street-level police officers’ education and first-line police supervisors on officer behavior, yet little has explored if higher education among supervisors enhances their leadership abilities for positive outcomes. This study focuses on criminal justice degree-holding supervisors and their use of educational content to influence the legitimate use of force. Interviews with 21 supervisors in the US reveal they primarily apply their education by analyzing past incidents for guidance and effectively communicating expectations, though some perceive limited workplace relevance in their education. Further research recommendations are proposed.
Criminal justice degrees are among the top 10 most awarded degrees in the United States, with over 60,000 conferred annually. While such degrees are often promoted as beneficial for employment in police agencies, there’s reluctance among many US police agencies to require higher education. States vary in their requirements, with most relying on local customs. Although higher education is believed to make officers more professional and prepared, its objective benefits are not fully realized. College-educated officers demonstrate better analytical skills and are perceived to handle complex situations more adeptly.
Research indicates that higher education is associated with reduced use of force by police officers. College-educated officers use force less frequently, report lower tolerance for excessive force among peers, and receive fewer complaints. Following heightened media attention after events like the George Floyd killing, initiatives have focused on reducing police violence, but little attention has been given to enhancing officers’ theoretical understanding of force issues. First-line supervisors in police agencies wield significant influence over officer behavior and decision-making, yet there’s inconsistency in their qualifications, with some agencies requiring only a high school diploma and others a bachelor’s degree.
While some agencies require or recommend a college degree for promotional consideration, few specify a criminal justice course of study. Despite overall satisfaction with the academic curriculum among law enforcement practitioners, the direct benefits of such degrees to specific skills needed in the field remain unclear. There’s also a lack of research into the background skills and characteristics of first-line police supervisors that contribute to their performance in the role.
This study investigates how first-line police supervisors with criminal justice degrees apply their education to influence police officers’ use of force practices, particularly in the wake of increased scrutiny post-George Floyd’s killing. Although theories and case law on police use of force remained unchanged, there’s a crucial need to analyze communication between supervisors and subordinates. Therefore, this study examines the experiences of first-line supervisors post-George Floyd’s incident.
The study aimed to investigate how first-line police supervisors perceive the value of a criminal justice college degree in guiding subordinate officers’ understanding of police use of force policies. Despite the popularity of criminal justice programs in law enforcement, little is known about their practical usefulness to supervisors. These supervisors play a crucial role in ensuring officers adhere to legal and policy standards. Participants in the study consistently acknowledged the importance of their role in educating officers on the legal and ethical use of force, often using past incidents as teaching tools. However, opinions varied on the degree’s direct relevance to these discussions, with some finding little value in their education for this task. Nevertheless, many participants highlighted specific aspects of their degree program, such as critical thinking skills and a broader understanding of criminal justice, as beneficial for instructing personnel on use of force. Those who found their education valuable often made direct connections between their coursework and practical applications. This suggests an opportunity for criminal justice programs to better articulate the practical benefits of their curriculum to enhance its perceived utility among law enforcement personnel.
The study suggests that a criminal justice-focused degree benefits first-line police supervisors in understanding and communicating use of force policies effectively. Future research should explore how police officers perceive their supervisors’ communication on use of force. Additionally, quantitative data on use of force incidents should be gathered to assess the impact of supervisor education levels, ranging from high school to bachelor’s degree, on minimizing use of force in practice.
Source:
(2024) The Role of Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Influencing Use of Force Practices: The Police Supervisor’s Perspective, Journal of Criminal Justice Education, DOI: 10.1080/10511253.2024.2328149