Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

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

Advisor

Timothy Gillette

Committee Member

Brenda Deans

Committee Member

Marcelo Castro

Keywords

Braun and Clarke thematic analysis, collaborative community engagement, community expectations, community-oriented policing, Community-Oriented Policing, confidential online questionnaire, decision-making, educational preparation, empirical inquiry, ethical decision-making, exploratory blended study, in-depth interviews, law enforcement leadership, leadership development, leadership practices, organizational resources, police-community relations, policing strategies, policy considerations, preparedness, professional training, public safety, qualitative research, quantitative research, semi-structured interviews, socio-cultural awareness, socio-cultural experiences, socio-cultural factors, strategic problem-solving, thematic analysis, trust-building

Abstract

This exploratory blended (qualitative and quantitative) study was conducted to examine how law enforcement leaders perceive their educational preparation, professional training, and socio-cultural experiences in relation to their understanding and application of Community-Oriented Policing (COP). Designed as an initial inquiry to “test the waters” in an area with limited empirical clarity, the study sought to capture leaders’ perspectives on preparedness, decision-making, and leadership practices within contemporary policing environments. Data were collected from 10 law enforcement leaders across multiple U.S. states through a confidential online questionnaire, supplemented by two in-depth semi-structured interviews. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2022) thematic analysis framework, findings revealed a conceptual understanding of COP principles and emphasized the influential role of education and leadership development in ethical decision-making, strategic problem-solving, and collaborative community engagement. At the same time, participants identified notable challenges, including inconsistent COP training, limited organizational resources, and evolving community expectations. Socio-cultural awareness emerged as a critical factor shaping trust-building, communication, and responsiveness within diverse communities. Collectively, the results provide preliminary yet meaningful insights into how leadership preparation aligns with COP implementation and offer direction for future research, leadership development, and policy considerations aimed at strengthening public safety and police–community relations.

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