Influence of Higher Education on the Utilization of Police Discretion in a Southern Indiana City

• NCJ Number: 89455
• Author(s): R P Bae
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 99 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. University of Southern Mississippi - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

This study examined whether or not the exercise of police discretion is influenced by higher education. Study data were gathered from questionnaires sent to 40 patrol officers (college graduates and noncollege graduates) from selected police departments.

Abstract

A discretionary Index devised for the study measured the differences and relationships between college-educated and noncollege-educated police officers in misdemeanor, victimless crime, Uniform Crime Report felony, and non-Uniform Crime Report felony situations. Findings indicate that a college education has an effect on police discretion when measured for the total Discretionary Index. However, police officers' age and length of service did not have a positive effect on their use of discretion. College graduates use more discretion than noncollege-educated officers in victimless crime situations, but both groups respond similarly in misdemeanor situations and in both non-Uniform and Uniform Crime Report felony situations. Study implications and recommendations are provided. Data tables and footnotes are included along with the Discretionary Index, the questionnaire, and about 30 references.