Date of Award
Spring 5-2007
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Administration of Justice
Committee Chair
Dr. Dennis Stevens
Committee Member 2
Dr. Philip Carlan
Committee Member 3
Dr. John Lewis
Committee Member 4
Dr. LIsa Nored
Abstract
The purpose o f the present study was to construct a behavioral rating/observational scale for the measurement o f police use o f non-deadly physical force. Previously published scales for the measurement o f police use o f non-deadly physical force are flawed. One, previous scales are based on an assessment o f the “properness” o f police use o f force currently used by law enforcement, thus lacking a foundation in theory. Two, previous scales lack psychometric properties (e.g., validity, internal consistency, and reliability). The goal o f the present study was to use well-established psychometric techniques to develop a suitable instrument for the idiographic measurement o f police non-deadly physical force. Subject M atter Experts evaluated the clarity, relevance, and feasibility o f 71 theoretically based items and rated the force used by officers as depicted in 14 videos. Limitations regarding the representation o f behaviors depicted in videos prohibited further scale development. Specifically, videos depicting police non-deadly physical force that was either inadequate or excessive were not sufficiently available to administer items to a developmental sample as proposed. Thus, results from this study represent an investigation into the feasibility for developing a behavior rating scale for police nondeadly physical force. This discussion includes analyses o f statistical and procedural flaws, as well as recommendations for future improvements to adequately capture and measure the behavioral qualities o f non-deadly physical force in policing.
Copyright
2007, Michael John Antal
Recommended Citation
Antal, Michael John, "AGGRESSION IN POLICING: UTILIZING SCALE DEVELOPMENT TOWARD THE MEASUREMENT OF POLICE USE OF NON-DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE" (2007). Dissertations. 1236.
http://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/1236
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