Date of Conferral
10-23-2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
John Walker
Abstract
Despite the proven efficacy of the incident command system (ICS), police agencies face obstacles in effective critical incident response. This qualitative study explored the cultural, structural, and potential training barriers that hinder the adoption of the ICS within police agencies. The purpose was to investigate how police can more effectively adopt this unified command structure designed for multiagency emergency response. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, the research question addressed how California police officers’ attitudes, perceived social norms, and sense of behavioral control influence their adoption of incident command system principles. Data were collected using semistructured Zoom interviews with 10 active-duty police officers across California, regardless of rank, and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The key result indicated that ICS training needs to be more engaging and relevant to real-world responses rather than relying on computer-based methods. Key recommendations for law enforcement agencies include developing more engaging training and scenario-based training, decentralizing authority for ICS activation, and fostering a cultural shift to counter the belief that ICS is irrelevant for minor emergencies. These recommendations aim to enhance the emergency preparedness and operational readiness of law enforcement agencies. The implications for positive social change include building community trust by improving emergency preparedness and response.
Recommended Citation
Dunham, Allan David, "Police Officers’ Perceptions of the Cultural, Structural, and Potential Training Barriers That Prevent Police Agencies from Adopting an Effective Emergency Response System" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18538.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18538
