Date of Conferral

4-4-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Gregory Koehle

Abstract

Law enforcement has undergone significant changes, requiring modern officers to embody a complex blend of traditional values and adaptive capabilities. Despite rigorous selection and training processes, some police recruits leave the profession prematurely, often during their probationary or field training phases. This early attrition represents a costly challenge for law enforcement agencies, with training expenses sometimes exceeding $200,000 per recruit. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of police recruits who successfully completed field training and compared them to the observations of FTOs who trained recruits who left law enforcement early. The research used Edwin Sutherland’s differential association theory and Akers’s social structure learning theory to examine how social interactions, organizational culture, and training dynamics influence recruit success and attrition. Data were collected from nine participants using qualitative surveys. Key themes such as communication skills, decision-making, adaptability, initiative, and systemic training deficiencies were identified through thematic analysis of survey responses. Findings reveal the importance of supportive mentorship, scenario-based learning, and consistent training practices in shaping recruit success. Systemic gaps such as inconsistent FTO preparation and generational learning differences contribute to early departures. The study contributes to positive social change by underscoring the critical role of tailored training programs in enhancing recruit retention, improving organizational culture, and fostering public trust in law enforcement.

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