Date

12-5-2022

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Douglas Orr

Keywords

Accreditation, Organizational Structures, Campus Law Enforcement, Professionalism, Institutional Theory

Disciplines

Geography

Abstract

Accreditation in campus law enforcement agencies is considered a modality of professionalism in the industry. The use of accreditation requires a voluntary approach to implement industry standards, policies, procedures, and best practices, while being scrutinized by an accreditation team. Law enforcement leaders frequently review a management strategy to professionalize the policing industry, although, without accreditation in place, the methodology is based on prior trial and errors of the past. Using a quantitative nonexperimental research design, this study aims to examine the implementation of accreditation within campus law enforcement agencies. With a nationally representative sample, a research question addressing the factors influencing campus law enforcement agencies' participation in professional accrediting associations will be examined. Factors to be considered include organizational structural variables, department characteristics, campus characteristics, and on-campus crime rates. Data will be obtained from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Survey of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies, National Center for Education Statistics, and Office of Postsecondary Education. This data will be analyzed through a logistic regression model. This research study aims to identify influencing campus law enforcement agencies to seek professional accreditation and the perceptions of police agencies' priorities regarding professionalism and expected industry standards. This study will create an aggregate review of leadership development tactics related to the campus law enforcement industry.

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