<p> The influence of sociodemographic characteristics, level of contact with the police, perceptions of police effectiveness, willingness to partner with police and community engagement on a citizen's perceptions of police fairness, police professionalism, police legitimacy, and police satisfaction were investigated in this study. A quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational design was used for this research study. The sample (<i>n</i> = 152) consisted of adults within a large metropolitan city located in the Northeast section of the United States and was determined by using a multistage cluster sample. Data was collected over a three-month period using a 42-question Likert-type survey that was distributed via door-to-door canvassing. This took place across two police zones, each encompassing 13-15 socially-diverse neighborhoods of the Northeastern city. The data was analyzed using a multiple linear regression, which indicated a significant positive relationship between the public&rsquo;s perception of police effectiveness and their perception of fairness, professionalism, legitimacy, and satisfaction. However, for police contact, there was a significant negative relationship between when an individual&rsquo;s immediate family member had indirect police contact and an individual&rsquo;s perception of professionalism and satisfaction.</p><p>

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Wollman, Lauren. ; Woodbury, Glen. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 27, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: National Incident Management System, law-enforcement, emergency management, program evaluation, customization, incident management teams, proficiency standards, Federal Emergency Management Agency, home rule, lessons learn, civil liability. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-95). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense))--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Bergin, Richard. "March 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on April 24, 2009. Author(s) subject terms: homeland security; state, local, law enforcement, information sharing, and regional collaboration. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-92 ). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.C.I.T.)--Regis University, Denver, Colo., 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 9, 2008). Includes bibliographical references.

<p> Leaderships perception of technology is an antecedent to the acceptance of technology and ultimately innovation within organizations. The specific technology under investigation in this study was body-worn cameras (BWCs) for law enforcement operations. Application of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to measure the use and acceptance of BWCs among law enforcement was unique to this study. Extant literature on law enforcement BWCs does not adequately address leadership perceptions of emergent technology. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the four key constructs of the technological acceptance model of UTAU (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions) and the intentions of law enforcement leaders to implement a BWC program in their department. The study was a quantitative nonexperimental correlational design to study the relationship between the four independent UTAUT variables and the dependent variable of behavioral intention. The participants were law enforcement leaders of police departments located in the midwestern United States. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlative relationship between the four key constructs of the UTAUT and intentions to implement BWCs. Pearson correlation analyses revealed each of the independent variables was significantly related to behavioral intention. The null hypotheses for the main research question and subquestions were rejected. A significant implication of this study is the results expand current change management theory through the identification of leadership expectations of technology. Frontloading applicable research and background studies prior to the inception of intervention initiatives will allow organizational leadership to incorporate fact-based data to support or refute personal perceptions of emergent technology.</p><p>

<p> Drug addiction and abuse in the United States has reached epidemic levels, and marijuana is the most used and abused illegal drug. With the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Colorado, marijuana use has increased even further. Even though the legalization of medical marijuana occurred in November, 2000, and legalization of recreational marijuana use has occurred even more recently, November 2012, the full effect of the implementation of recreational marijuana on police agencies in Colorado remains unknown. Although Colorado law enforcement organizations will soon face the challenge of hiring officers with a history of past marijuana use, many Colorado departments have not modified recruitment and hiring policies. Coleman and Goodman&rsquo;s snowballing sampling technique resulted in a sample of 20 Colorado police officers who discussed department policies that allow for the hiring of officers with a history of prior marijuana use. This discussion included their attitudes toward coworkers hired under such policy and factors that may influence those feelings. Data were collected through direct interaction by in-depth, one-on-one, informal and unstructured interviews. Participant interviews were transcribed, uploaded to NVivo 11, and coded. Results of data analysis showed participants did not have adverse thoughts or feelings about the departmental policies that allowed for the hiring of an individual with a history of marijuana use, as long as those individuals met departmental standards and recreational marijuana policy. However, some factors may influence their perception of the police officer, such as how long the police officer used marijuana, how long the police officer had gone without using marijuana, and the nature in which the police officer used marijuana (experimental, recreational/social, or chronic). Knowledge of these perceptions may help departments create new hiring policies or modify those that already exist.</p><p>

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

No description available.

American leaders face tough decisions about the role of biodefense in homeland security. Debate centers on U.S. preparedness for biological attack, but few if any have adequately defined "preparedness." This thesis defines bioterrorism preparedness in terms of detection and attribution. Through case studies of the 1984 Rajneeshee cult and 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks, the thesis develops a notional model of biodefense that shows that nature of attack and the lethality or type of agent influence outbreak detection and biological weapons attribution. Because public health surveillance facilitates detection and interagency coordination facilitates attribution, there is a need to re-balance U.S. biodefense priorities by easing emphasis on current programs, and redirecting resources to simpler improvements in communication and organizational efficiency. Core limitations of the public health system that impede surveillance are discussed, and barriers between public health and law enforcement officials that hamper coordination are examined. Recommendations are provided to improve detection through better surveillance, and to enable attribution through better coordination and information sharing.