Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Ashley Dickinson

Abstract

Use-of-force decisions are made in both the military combat and domestic policing environments. In this phenomenological study I aimed to examine what, if any, the effect of military combat experience has on domestic policing use-of-force decisions for military combat veteran police officers. Schneider and Shiffrin’s dual process of automatic and controlled processing theory offered the theoretical framework that was applied to how military combat veteran police officers may be affected by their military combat experience in the application of domestic policing use-of-force decisions. This qualitative study was designed to collect lived experiences of military combat veteran police officers who transitioned from military combat to domestic policing jobs. The 5 participants for this study were police officers solicited from the California Peace Officers Association and represented various law enforcement departments from throughout the state of California. Data were collected from one-on-one interviews using scripted questions regarding use-of-force application and training. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed using NVivo qualitative analysis software to identify themes. The results showed there were no significant effects experienced by participants regarding use-of-force decisions during the transition from military combat to domestic policing. The similarities and areas applicable to both environments indicated that prior military combat experience positively contributes to domestic policing use-of-force decisions. The results of this study may be used to improve police and community relations, as well as benefit the citizens, police officers, departments, and the communities in which they serve.

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