Police Officers and Their Alcohol Consumption: Should We Be Concerned?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2008

School

Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security

Abstract

Alcohol use by police officers in the United States is theorized to be double that of the general population, with 20% of those abusing alcohol. However, no known alcohol consumption study has been conducted within the United States. This study hoped to fill that void. Full time Mississippi officers from municipal, county, and state departments totaling 1,328, were asked to complete a 27-item questionnaire containing the World Health Organization's Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test instrument to determine alcohol use and risk. The researcher found no difference in use by Mississippi officers and the general public. Moreover, the researcher identified the officers most at risk for alcohol problems.

Publication Title

Police Quarterly

Volume

11

Issue

1

First Page

74

Last Page

87

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