School of Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

12-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

First Advisor

Tina Jaeckle, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Marcelo Castro, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Grace Telesco, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Tammy Kushner, Psy.D.

Abstract

Police officers encounter significant occupational stressors that contribute to heightened levels of burnout and stress, potentially influencing their critical decision-making during deadly force encounters. This dissertation investigates the relationship between selfreported perceived stress, burnout, and the frequency of deadly force application among officers in southeastern Florida. Drawing on the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Restraint in the Use of Deadly Force Scale, survey responses from 202 officers were statistically analyzed using regression and descriptive techniques.

Contrary to initial hypotheses, findings revealed no significant predictive relationship between perceived stress, burnout, and the likelihood of using or restraint in using deadly force. These results challenge assumptions about psychological stress as a direct contributor to decision-making errors in life-threatening scenarios. However, the study emphasizes the complexity of factors affecting officers' use of force, including organizational, environmental, and situational dynamics.

The implications extend to law enforcement training and mental health support systems, suggesting the need for refined strategies to address occupational stress without overemphasizing its influence on deadly force incidents. This research fills a critical gap in understanding the interplay between mental health and tactical decision-making in policing, providing a foundation for future studies aimed at enhancing officer wellness and equitable enforcement practices.

Download
Share Feedback

Share

COinS