Criminology

1.  Brief Introduction

The current study aims to determine the effects of training on the use of excessive force in the Australian Police Force. The researcher has been compelled by the findings in Scrivner (1994) study where training specific to the use of excessive force has been cited as a possible intervention to curb this phenomenon. Moreover, these trainings are envisioned to utilize adult learning concepts that entail engaged participation from the police officers, particularly in the form of simulations and role plays.

The same study has likewise noted the inadequate training that specifically tackles the excessive use of force. The police psychologists interviewed in Scrivners (1994) study indicate that 79 carried out counseling for officers who used force excessively 51 addressed this through training on management of stress and only a fourth either conducted training peculiar to the subject of excessive use of force or deliberately monitored behavior related to the this.

Scrivner (1994) further notes police psychologists who participated in research share that the excessive force training that they accorded to police officers was focused on helping them cope with stress rather than being dovetailed to the issue of excessive use of force. Moreover, stress in such classes has been assumed to be the main determinant of excessive use of force, an idea that has not yet garnered conclusive empirical support. For the purposes of the present study, competencies that promote constant interaction with the community shall be ingrained in the proposed training sessions. These competencies will allow them to use force more prudently and to eventually eliminate the prevalence of such behaviours.

2. Research Questions
The following research questions shall be answered in the study

1) Does training specific to excessive use of force help decrease the incidence of behaviours which precede such use of force
2) Can the behavioural effects of such training be sustained over time

3. Evaluation SiteSubjects of the Study
The subjects of the study shall be garnered through the use of purposive sampling, a non-probability sampling technique. The latter entails that the subject meet certain inclusion criteria to qualify as a subject (Creswell, 2008). In the case of the study, the police officer should 1) have at least a 2-year tenure 2) currently be in a field assignment or duty (vis--vis an administrative post) and 3) express willingness to participate in the study.

4. Evaluation Design

The study shall adopt a causal-comparative research design. It is causal since it aims to ascertain the effects of training specific to excessive use of force, on the related behaviours of police officers. It is likewise comparative because two groups of police officers will be used to determine the effects of training. One group shall act as a control group representing the absence of training while the experimental group shall involve subjects who shall undergo training. The effects of training over time shall likewise be ascertained, although the time frame for monitoring time effects is only at 8 weeks.

5. Population and Sample

The population of the study is the whole police force in Australia however, for pragmatic purposes, only a sample of police officers shall be enlisted in the study. To merit the use of parametric statistical tests (Punch, 2003), 30 officers shall requested to participate in the study by participating in the training focused on excessive use of police force. Another group of police officers shall serve as a control group, and shall not undergo training. The two groups shall be asked to complete a questionnaire asking them about the frequency with which they exhibit behaviours that predispose them to the use of excessive police force. It is expected that there are no significant differences in their scores, to establish that to begin with, the two groups are homogenous. The next phase shall involve the intervention itself, which shall be carried out by a police psychologist. All 30 officers in the experimental group shall undergo the training.

The same set of questionnaires shall be administered to the experimental group within 2, 4, 6, and 8 following the training session. This will be carried out to determine the outcomes of the training on behaviour over time and to ascertain their implications to the conduct of follow through training.

6. Variables and Data Collection Methods

There are two variables of interest in the study. These are 1) training and 2) behaviours that are deemed precursors to the use of excessive force. The independent variable, training, shall have two levels those without training, and those with training. The dependent variable, behaviours leading to excessive use of force, shall be measured through scores on a self-administered questionnaire documenting the frequency of these behaviors.

Scrivner (1994) comments that prior to an officers actual commitment of excessive use of force, there are behaviours that indicate a high likelihood of committing the latter. Since the researcher will probably have concerns about extracting complaints related to complaints on excessive use of force, a self-report questionnaire shall be used to indicate whether such symptoms are exhibited and at what frequency. This shall be done before and after the proposed training.

Secondary data collection shall be undertaken through the collation of journals, online references, and books related to the subject matter (Bryman  Bell, 2007). On the other hand, primary research shall also be carried out through the use of a self-constructed questionnaire which will be administered to the police officers. This shall be pilot tested, and established in terms of validity and reliability prior to deployment.

7. Brief Conclusion

The research shall be a causal-comparative research, which determines the effects of training specific to the use of excessive force by police officers. The independent variable is training, while the dependent variable shall be the behaviours that are deemed precursors to excessive use of force. The latter shall be measured through a self-administered questionnaire. Scores of the two groups on the questionnaire shall be statistically compared. Moreover, there shall also be comparisons of the scores of the experimental group at different points in time, to see the outcomes of training across time.