Date
5-2022
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)
Chair
Marc Weiss
Keywords
EIS, New Professionalism, Qualitative, Phenomenology, Community-oriented, Law Enforcement
Disciplines
Leadership Studies | Philosophy
Recommended Citation
Smith, Pamela Lynn, "Early Intervention and Prediction of Risk Management Issues in Law Enforcement: A Phenomenological Study" (2022). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 3627.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3627
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to research the Early Intervention Systems (EIS) and prediction of risk management issues in law enforcement. The following questions guided the study:
- How do law enforcement personnel describe their experience with EIS programs as an intervention for officers with behavioral or conduct issues?
- How do EIS programs affect law enforcement agencies as a whole?
- What indicators could law enforcement supervisors look for in officers to circumvent misconduct (on or off duty)?
- What interventions have been observed personally or with other officers regarding discipline, counseling, additional training, etc.?
The setting for this study was based on active and retired law enforcement personnel in various agencies throughout the United States, specifically South Carolina and Texas, that have experience with EIS programs. Interviews and surveys were coded and analyzed for major themes. The following themes were identified: EIS delivery methods are essential for troubled officers' success; training is a crippling factor; lack of support and funding for such programs. Participants felt that a lack of funding and supervisor training on EIS programs is debilitating. Future research would be beneficial on this same topic with varying demographic populations, a more focused look at EIS software availability, and a survey to identify gaps in supervisors identifying officer misconduct.
