Date
10-16-2025
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (PhD)
Chair
John Murrell
Keywords
Police-Community Relationships, Communication Gaps, Law Enforcement Communication Training, ADA
Disciplines
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
Recommended Citation
Singer-Bare, Lori B., "Public Administrators’ Role in Law Enforcement Training: How Public Administrators Influence the Communication Gap Between Law Enforcement Personnel and Society" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7560.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7560
Abstract
Communication training in police academies has historically been lacking across the nation. Prior research indicates that communication skills are necessary for law enforcement professionals. Recent incidents have indicated that a communication gap occurs between law enforcement professionals and community members. Ultimately, public administrators play a role in the delivery of law enforcement services. In Ohio, the 2024 Blue Ribbon Task Force uncovered that communication training for law enforcement professionals is lacking. Public administrators are often charged with making proposals for organizational and law enforcement training to address societal needs. State Attorney Generals often oversee the Peace/Police Officer Training Academy and the annual Continuing Professional Training (CPT) requirements. Public administrators and police academies must do better in preparing law enforcement professionals in areas such as communication skills, building relationships, including community members in law enforcement training, and acknowledging the role of the media. Additional topics such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), de-escalation tactics, American Sign Language (ASL), cultural competencies, and language competencies are paramount. This research is qualitative and includes demographic and participant surveys and the use of interviews, document analysis, and focus groups. Interviews were held with public administrators to determine their involvement with law enforcement selection and agency/officer training. Document analysis occurred with the 2024 Blue Ribbon Task Force Report. Focus groups were conducted with law enforcement professionals to identify training needs. Focus groups were also conducted with community members to gain the societal point of view regarding the communication gap and methods to address concerns with public administrators and law enforcement personnel.
