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.