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…

Interest in the field of criminal justice continues to grow and attract students to this area of higher education. These students typically represent society in that their beliefs about the justice system are based on media depictions, not education or experience. This study surveyed Introduction to Criminal Justice students from two universities,…

The study involving 100 police officers, 75 lawyers, and 35 judges was designed to investigate and analyze the criminal justice system (CJS) personnel's understanding of mental retardation and the mentally retarded (MR) offender. Among findings obtained from responses to questionnaires were the following: 65% of the respondents indicated they…

A scientific, multidisciplinary examination of the social and psychological effects of rape upon female victims is presented, which is then correlated with: (1) the circumstances that surrounded the rape; (2) the victim's personality and social adaptation before she was raped; and (3) the support available from organizations and people who were…

Data from an observational study of police behavior are used to test the thesis that arrest is less likely for spousal violence. Findings indicate that although officers are unlikely to arrest in spousal assault cases, they are equally unlikely to arrest in other types of violence. (JBJ)

This document contains three publications from a study of the training and educational requirements prerequisite to licensure as a peace officer in Minnesota. The first report consists of eight chapters. Chapters 1-3 contain the following: (1) historical review of the development of law enforcement education; (2) the advantages and disadvantages…

A statewide needs assessment project was designed to identify the continuing education needs of Minnesota peace officers. Phase one measured perceptions of law enforcement administrators or training officers. The needs assessment committee conducted a literature review to identify items for the survey instrument and weighting formulas. A survey…

In 1988, Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC), in cooperation with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, conducted a confidential survey of members of the Henry County Sheriff's Department and the Martinsville Police Department to determine training needs. Groups of between 1 and 15 employees from all shifts and departments were…

By focusing on four-year colleges, academies/training centers, and community colleges, a study identified some of the duplication and gaps in public safety education in California. Survey instruments were designed to identify the current status of public safety education and elicit data regarding respondents' ideas about the desired direction that…

An eight-year study of the academic performance and dropout rate of Chicano students majoring in law enforcement was conducted at San Jose City College. The study revealed that during the first semester Chicano students had a higher dropout rate and lower grades than the class as a whole. However, by the second year, the dropout rate was not…

Focusing on law enforcement personnel at the city, county, and state levels (including police, sheriffs, and highway patrol agencies), this document is one in a series of six volumes reporting the results of the National Manpower Survey (NMS) of the Criminal Justice System. Chapter 1 of six chapters summarizes the major results of a national…

Focusing on education and training needs for law enforcement and criminal justice personnel, this document is one in a series of six volumes reporting the results of the National Manpower Survey (NMS) of the Criminal Justice System. Chapter 1 of ten chapters provides an overview of nine types of educational and/or training programs, including the…

As mandated in the 1973 Amendments to the Safe Streets Act, the National Manpower Survey of the Criminal Justice System was conducted to assess current and projected manpower needs, personnel quality, and training and education programs. Data were collected from the following sources: surveys of 8,000 executives of state and local criminal justice…