Building a Cognitive Readiness Construct for Violent Police-Public Encounters

Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons STEMPS Theses & Dissertations STEM Education & Professional Studies Fall 2018 Building a Cognitive Readiness Construct for Violent Police-Public Encounters James Eric Preddy Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/stemps_etds Part of the Educational Psychology Commons, and the Law Enforcement and Corrections Commons Recommended Citation Preddy, James E.. "Building a Cognitive Readiness Construct for Violent Police-Public Encounters" (2018). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, STEM Education & Professional Studies, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/t8jr-8n49 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/stemps_etds/40 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the STEM Education & Professional Studies at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in STEMPS Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BUILDING A COGNITIVE READINESS CONSTRUCT FOR VIOLENT POLICE- PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS by James Eric Preddy B.S. December 1993, University of North Carolina at Charlotte M.A. August 2012, Gonzaga University A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY EDUCATION OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY SEPTEMBER 2018 Approved by: Petros Katsioloudis (Director) Jill Stefaniak (Member) Angela Eckhoff (Member) ABSTRACT BUILDING A COGNITIVE READINESS CONSTRUCT FOR VIOLENT POLICE-PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS J. Eric Preddy Old Dominion University, 2018 Director: Dr. Petros Katsioloudis The purpose of this multi-methods study was to explore police use-of-force (UoF) instructors’ perceptions about cognitive readiness in the context of violent police-public encounters, examine how experience influences those perceptions, identify competencies of cognitive readiness deemed essential for preparation and response to violent encounters, and align those competencies deemed essential with current UoF training strategies. The results of the study suggest that UoF instructors generally feel that police officers are not adequately prepared for violent police-public encounters. They cited deficiencies in the range of tactics taught, the frequency with which UoF training is delivered, and obstacles such as: time, resources, repetition, motivation, and liability as overarching themes that prevent adequate training transfer and performance. In addition, confidence and adaptability converged as byproducts of experience to influence UoF instructors’ perceptions about their own preparation for violent police-public encounters. They acknowledged the power of emotion in UoF decision- making, but their training, experience, and confidence allows them to focus more on the outward emotional state of an aggressor instead of their own emotions. While they acknowledged the presence of negative stress within themselves during a violent encounter, in general, this stress does not cause paralysis in action. Of the a priori cognitive readiness competencies assessed, the study revealed situational awareness, problem-solving, adaptability, decision-making, confidence, and critical thinking as the highest converging competencies. As such, these competencies were identified as essential for preparation and response to violent encounters. Lastly, reality-based/scenario-based training was cited as the most effective training strategy to enhance officers’ preparation for violent encounters. Copyright, 2018, by J. Eric Preddy, All Rights Reserved. v DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to all those that took an oath to serve and protect. In the words of Andrew Jacobs, Sr., “If you do this job properly there is nothing more noble you will do with your life”. As such, we stand in service with courage and nobility holding honor, duty, and professionalism as core values. We understand the risks, yet, we stand in pride as keepers of the thin blue line. The Law Enforcement Oath of Honor is used to reinforce these ideals and I proudly share it in service to you, the profession, and the community. On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my community and the agency I serve, so help me God. (IACP, 1997 Committee on Police Ethics) vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to first and foremost thank the good Lord for giving me this blessing and navigating my heart and soul throughout this journey. The good Lord has also graciously given me one of the most beautiful, intelligent, and loving women in the world. I want to thank my future wife, Amy, for your love and support. Your positive attitude, encouragement, and many acts of kindness have kept me moving forward. Your attention to detail, side-by-side assistance, reflective opinions, and honest feedback challenged me to do my best every step of the way. Most of all, I honor and appreciate your patience and understanding in those times when I struggled to manage all that life has thrown at us during this marathon. I LOVE YOU and this journey would not be complete without you! I want to thank my children, Eric Bailey Preddy and Samantha Marie Preddy for your patience and understanding. You both gave so much and asked for little in return so that I could pursue this dream. The long hours that took away from our time together was a sacrifice that I can never repay. I am so proud of you both for who you are, who you want to be, and ultimately who you will become. I hope one day you look upon this accomplishment with pride and know that you both contributed greatly to the realization of a dream. I LOVE YOU! I want to thank my committee for your commitment, encouragement, feedback, and overall support. Dr. Petros Katsioloudis, you were not only my committee chair, you were my champion. With all your responsibilities as STEMPS Department Chair, you always found time to give me personal feedback and encouragement. Since the first time we met, you have been a source of support and mentorship that has developed into friendship, THANK YOU. Dr. Jill Stefaniak, you have inspired me beyond your understanding. Your recognition of my research and writing potential has given me the confidence to keep pushing myself in these areas. Your vii feedback has been extremely important throughout this process and your commitment to remain on my committee, even as you moved onto greater opportunities, will never be forgotten, THANK YOU. Dr. Angela Eckhoff, your feedback inspired the trajectory of this dissertation. You challenged me creatively while encouraging the pursuit of this topic, THANK YOU. I would also like to recognize Dr. Philip Reed. Thank you for keeping me focused as my academic advisor and challenging me to look beyond the confined spaces of an organization or educational institution to broader visions of research and publishing that address the important questions of today and tomorrow. Your words have inspired me to find a path and platform for my academic voice. Thank you to the ODU faculty for your instructional guidance and support. Every professor represented themselves, the University, and the subject-matter with honor and integrity. Each offered a path to academic success and encouragement to continue the journey ahead. Collectively, you serve as a beacon of excellence for the University. It is very difficult to get assess to police organizations, especially when one is researching topics that are controversial in nature. I want to thank Chief Patrice Andrews for her unwavering support. She not only helped open the necessary doors for me to accomplish my research objective, but also led the way, inviting dialogue with other Chiefs of Police about this controversial topic and explaining the benefits of research to better protect and serve our officers and our communities. I also want to thank the organizational leaders that granted access to their valued instructors. This project could not have been completed without your support. This effort benefitted from the valuable perspectives of police officers/specialized instructors across the State of North Carolina. Your dedication to duty, professionalism, and passion was inspiring. The dialogue was incredibly honest as each of you personally reflected viii upon your years of experience as both practitioner and instructor. Thank you for your commitment to service and training. Lastly, I want to thank specific family, friends, and mentors without whom I would not have attempted this journey. To my father, no words can describe the influence you have had on my life. You raised me, you mentored me through your kindness and work ethic, and you inspire the Preddy name. To Bill Westfall, Brian Crandell, and Pete Sarna, the three of you inspire me to be a better person in honor of myself, my family, and this noble profession. Collectively, you steered me to and through this journey and I am forever indebted to your kindness. This study and the years of hard work that preceded it, represent one of the most significant and challenging undertakings that I have ever embarked upon. It is with hope that the transferable body of knowledge gained from this study will not only enhance the understanding of these dynamic situations, but also advance theory and practice in this area. I hope you find the information contained within valuable

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