Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Vincent Van Hasselt

Committee Member

Marcelo Castro

Committee Member

Grace Telesco

Keywords

Academy, Cadet, Mental Illness, Police, Preconceived Notion, Use of Force

Abstract

This quantitative study examined the extent to which the standardized 2024 Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) Basic Law Enforcement recruit curriculum influenced the attitudes of 33 cadets at the Broward Police Academy concerning critical policing issues. Employing a pre- and post-survey design with a convenience sample, the research specifically assessed changes in cadets' preconceived notions regarding the appropriate use of force, the perceived dangerousness of individuals experiencing mental illness, and the necessity of police discretion in community interactions. The findings revealed statistically significant shifts in two key areas following academy training: cadets demonstrated a reduced perception that police overuse force and showed an increased recognition of the importance of discretionary decision-making. However, the curriculum did not produce a significant change in cadets' views regarding the dangerousness associated with mental illness, indicating a notable gap in the training's impact. This study concludes that while the standardized CJSTC curriculum effectively influences cadet perspectives on procedural aspects like force and discretion, it falls short in addressing potentially harmful biases concerning interactions with individuals with mental illness. These results demonstrate a need for targeted curriculum development and enhancement. The findings hold significant implications for police training academies, curriculum designers, and policymakers aiming to improve officer preparedness, promote de-escalation, and ultimately foster more informed and constructive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

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