Date of Conferral

12-4-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Grace Telesco

Abstract

Since 9/11, the need for veteran crisis intervention has increased. Police agencies often respond to veterans in crisis by deploying officers who have completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, and many of the officers are prior military. However, little research has focused specifically on the factors influencing police officers’ decision-making when responding to veterans in crisis. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the association and predictability between event type, veteran behavior, police officer military experience, police officer CIT, and the disposition of veterans as measured by arrest, referral for mental health services, and the use of force. This study was correlational, and the target population was police officers with contact with veterans in crisis; data on a sample of 944 were derived from a Pacific Northwest police agency. Attribution theory provided the lens through which officers respond to veterans and is based on the beliefs or lack thereof that veterans are responsible for their actions. Role theory offered a framework in how officers view their role in responding to veterans. Multinominal logistic regression was used, and results showed that veterans displaying disruptive or mental illness behaviors were more likely to be referred for mental health services rather than arrested, compared to those exhibiting threatening behaviors. While CIT-trained officers were more likely to direct veterans to mental health services, police officers’ prior military experience did not significantly impact the disposition of veterans during crises. Implications from this research support CIT policy development by providing evidence of the effects of veterans in crisis have on police decision-making, contributing to social change for police agencies and the veteran community.

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