Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jessica Hart

Abstract

The effectiveness of mental health training for police officers and the officers’ subsequent interactions with individuals with mental illness has been well researched. There is a lack in documentation on any differences in the hours of mental health training officers receive and their perceptions of individuals with mental illness. There is also a lack in research looking at any differences between officers who volunteered for mental health training and those who did not. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore any differences between police officers who volunteered and those who did not for informal, formal, and crisis intervention team training as measured by their perceptions of individuals with mental illness after training completion. The goal of this study was to collect data from police officers in the state of Minnesota using the Mental Health Attitude Survey for Police. This survey was distributed online via Survey Monkey to police officers through department-issued emails from police chiefs or sheriffs. The theoretical framework for this study was contact theory. There were 130 participants in this study and the data revealed that there was not a significant difference of police officer’s attitudes toward individuals with mental illness after completion of mental health training at various hours. Results were analyzed through an ANOVA. The data revealed a significant difference between police officers who had volunteered for their mental health training versus those who were mandated. This study can lead to positive social change by enhancing mental health training needs for police officers, increasing mental health knowledge, and improving relations and increasing safety between/for police officers and individuals with mental illness.

Included in

Psychology Commons

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