Doctor of Public Administration

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12087/27

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The Administration of Police Consent Decrees: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Reducing Pattern and Practice of Police Use of Force
(2021-05) McGuire, Tarrick
As a reform instrument, federal consent decrees have been used by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to address issues associated with unconstitutional police misconduct. A problematic area of concern is police behavior involving the excessive use of force on minority citizens. The purpose of this comparative case study was to determine whether or not the implementation of consent decrees in the New Orleans and Seattle Police Departments resulted in a reduction of the use of force 3 years after implementation, in comparison to 3 years preconsent decree implementation. This study aims to contribute to closing the gap in understanding regarding what policy implementations may be useful in correcting patterns of behavior in police misconduct and in closing the gap between best practice conduct and actual patterns of behavior and unconstitutional practice. Integrated with this study, Lewin’s change model is used as a guiding philosophical framework for this study, positing that organizational and underlying behavioral change occurs in three phases: (a) unfreezing, (b) changing, and (c) refreezing. These three steps explain the process by which longstanding patterns of adverse police misconduct may be altered, how resistance may be addressed, and how new ideal behaviors may be normalized and habituated.
The Agency Psychology of Sustained and Prolonged Poverty Exposure on Public Administrators in Nevada
(2020-05) Donahe, Cynthia A.
Street-level public administrators, particularly welfare and social services professionals, working in direct contact with and delivering welfare benefits to the indigent public, expose themselves to chronic poverty daily and for some public service employees, throughout their careers. Over time, the public administrator’s sustained and prolonged exposure to clients’ poverty experience could have an impact on his or her behavioral, psychological, and physiological well-being, which, in turn, could affect a public agency’s ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently to the public. This study examines the impacts of working with impoverished clients on a public administrator’s level of effectiveness and the severity of burnout. The focus of this research was to determine whether there is any relationship or correlation between (a) a public administrator’s duration in working with an impoverished population and the level of effectiveness, and (b) a public administrator’s duration in working with an impoverished population and severity of burnout. This study reviewed existing public administration literature through the lens of poverty scarcity theory and the motivation theory burnout model and identified a gap in the body of public administration literature for the agency psychology of sustained and prolonged poverty exposure of public administrators to impoverished clientele. The researcher employed the quantitative research method and research design of the survey, specifically the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). The study was able to identify a statistically significant correlation and relationship between public administrators working for the study’s public organization and welfare agency with the MBI-HSS burnout subscale Emotional Exhaustion (EE), which was substituted as a synonymous measure of burnout. This research could provide insight to public leaders, public policy makers, and public organizations on the wicked problem and challenges of poverty that public service employees must face when serving an indigent clientele. The results of this study could help public leaders and human resource management (HRM) professionals understand the agency psychology of sustained and prolonged poverty exposure in order to manage HRM issues in organizational life and workplace environments by recognizing, monitoring, intervening, and/or addressing early onset of burnout in public service employees who serve impoverished populations.
An Analysis of Policy Implementation: A Case of Children With Developmental Disabilities in Zambia
(2021-12) Lifanu, Inonge N.
Background. In Zambia, individuals with disabilities and their families rely heavily on governmental services, policies, and programs. Individuals with disabilities in Zambia have limited access to services that could help them reach their full potential. Consequently, several important policies with good intentions are adopted but not successfully implemented. The Zambian government formulated the National Policy on Disability to address disability issues and empower individuals with disabilities. Purpose. The reason for this study was to explore disability policy implementation by analyzing cases of children with developmental disabilities through the lens of service providers and policymakers. This qualitative study aimed to examine the Zambian disability policy implementation and evaluate its outcomes. Methods. Policy implementation processes were evaluated using the policy streams theoretical framework. Semistructured interviews were utilized to draw the perceptions of parents and guardians of children with developmental disabilities, policymakers, and service providers. Data were analyzed using NVivo, a qualitative data analysis computer program, to discover the emerging themes. Results. The national policy on disability has negatively affected the quality of services for children with developmental disabilities in Zambia. The findings reveal that although the policy was well formulated, it failed in its implementation because of gaps in service provision and access to services. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate areas of improvement for policy implementation, such as ensuring accessibility of services, community sensitization to promote awareness, political will, and capacity. Collaboration among the three policy groups also emerged as a key component of policy implementation success. When the three policy streams come together and a window of opportunity appears, there is a better chance that the policy would be successfully implemented.
Analyzing Public Engagement Strategies for Drinking Water Policy of Water Conservation: A Phenomenological Approach
(2021-04) Williams, Anthony C.
Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the perception of experts of water policy in South Florida. Water conservation has been, and continue to be, an issue for South Florida. Low water levels of the Biscayne Aquifer, because of excessive water pumping, increase the chances of saltwater intrusion; and combined with the increase of sea-level rise and population growth, water managers and officials look to make impactful changes. Governments across the region have implemented plans to create change by amending ordinances and creating water restrictions to reach residents in a way that will save the Biscayne Aquifer. And although the aquifer is recharged through the miles of canals, weather in South Florida is unpredictable: dry times during the rainy season and some wet times during the dry season. Theoretical Framework. This study was based on the theory of planned behavior theoretical framework. This theory proposes that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control coincide, which together shape an individual’s behavioral intentions. Methodology. The methodology for this study focused on semistructured interviews that were conducted using elite interviewing. The researcher used surveys deployed to the experts of water policy to determine the top issues the region faces regarding water conservation. All data were transcribed and put through data analysis to determine consistency. Findings. Examination of qualitative data returned surprising results. Even though some of the experts felt that parts of their region were doing well, all agreed that there is no consistency to achieve the results for wide-scale improvement. Low-income residents saved water to save money, but higher income homes were habitual in bad practices. Furthermore, the participants felt that all residents were not being educated because of different factors, which scales down environmental benefit. Conclusions and Recommendations. This study adds to the body of knowledge by using qualitative data to establish the perception of water experts. It also recognizes the psychological impacts finances have on one’s ability to form better water conservatory practices needed for a long-term positive change and recognizes the importance of continually educating and reminding the public about water policy.
Bridging the Gap: Mitigating Risk and Preserving Victim Safety
(2021-08) Betkolia, Belona
As a form of supervision, electronic monitoring is often sought after as a condition of pretrial release within the Office of Pretrial Services. This study examined electronic monitoring as it relates to domestic violence. More specifically, this study examined electronic monitoring as a condition of pretrial release within the Office of Pretrial Services. This quantitative study aimed to assess the effectiveness of electronic monitoring of domestic violence cases in the pretrial arena. Utilizing the specific deterrence theory, quasi-experimental research design, and prosperity score matching, the study provides matched sample comparisons between a “treatment” group, defendants placed on electronic monitoring, and a “control” group of similar pretrial defendants not placed on electronic monitoring. The study examined the differences between pretrial misconduct outcomes between those released with electronic monitoring as an added condition of pretrial release and those released on supervision without electronic monitoring. The results showed that the use of electronic monitoring technology, gender, ethnicity, and age did not have a significant effect on the odds of observing defendants whether they fail or succeed to appear during the pretrial period, whether they committed new criminal activity before case disposition or not, and whether they committed technical violations during the pretrial period or not.
Challenging Gaia: The Ecology of Organizational Restructuring in a Federal Agency
(2020-02) Birmingham-Witucki, Nicole A.
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to reinvigorate the theory of organizational ecology and use the metaphorical relationship between themes in ecology as a way to model structures or reorganizations in the federal government, challenging traditional bureaucratic tactics for decisions leading to a reorganization effort. In addition, updated models of the politics–administrative dichotomy were compared to its original construct in order to examine fitness for a modern federal environment. Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework utilized general systems theory, specifically organizational ecology, niche, environment, and Gaia theory. Methodology. A qualitative phenomenological case study of a federal organization was performed by conducting elite interviews in order to explore and assimilate ecological themes to the lived experiences of restructuring or reorganizations by 3 senior-level executives in a federal agency. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with each participant in a semistructured style using 7 interview questions. Findings/Conclusions. The participants’ individual approaches to decisions, rationales, perceptions of outcomes, awareness of impacts, use of theories, lessons, and metaphorical assimilations were examined for collective expressions. Their responses revealed 4 themes: ecosystem, bureaucratic environment, cybernetics, and niche. A multidisciplinary metaphorical abstraction was developed using these concepts, and an ecological model for abstract thinking about organizational structures is presented for consideration. The traditional politics–administrative dichotomy was challenged and a new model proposed.
Community College Transfer Outcomes: A Measure of Accountability
(2018-10) Aunai, Samasoni
Purpose. Most community college students do not graduate let alone transfer to university. Hence, the purpose of this qualitative study was to (a) examine the learned experiences of California community colleges and California State University (CSU) administrators and staff in implementing the California Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR) Act, 2010 as it relates to transfer to a university and (b) conduct an analysis of institutional (community colleges and universities) strategic plans, community college completion data, and the CSU undergraduate enrollment report. Theoretical Framework: This study was based on the accountability theoretical framework specifically of professional, political, and legal principles coupled with the learning, democratic, and constitutional accountability perspectives. Methodology. Nineteen semistructured interviews were conducted with participants from 3 community colleges and 3 CSU campuses in the Central Valley region of California. The participants were administrators and staff with firsthand experience and knowledge pertaining to transfer . Institutional strategic plans, community college completion data, and the CSU undergraduate enrollment report were analyzed to gain an in-depth understanding of transfer. Findings. Review of the qualitative data suggests that the community colleges and CSUs are addressing the requirements of the STAR Act, 2010. The different articulation, transfer, and admission requirements at the CSUs create confusion for students. The data indicate an increase in both associate degrees for transfer (ADTs) awarded at the community colleges and undergraduate enrollment at the CSUs. However, the data also demonstrate a percentage decrease in undergraduate transfer enrollment at the CSUs including 2 of the CSUs that were part of the study. Notably, the percentage of community college transfer students who earn a bachelor’s degree in 2 years is significantly higher than freshman students who do so in 4 years. Conclusions and Recommendations. From the data, the percentage of ADTs awarded by the community colleges in California has increased in the last 5 years (2012–2017). However, current data indicate that the percentage of transfer community college students enrolled at the CSUs is still low. Public universities should review and make changes to their articulation, transfer, and admissions processes to better increase the number of community college students who transfer to a university. Future laws and processes should keep in mind the complex lives students live and need to better support transfer students at the university.
Community Policing Phenomenon: Perceptions of Congregational Members of Faith-Based Organizations on Community Policing in Two Multicultural Community Districts in San Diego, California
(2023-04) Hoskins, Terry T.
The current nationally polarized views on law enforcement indicate a dearth of mistrust between communities and law enforcement officers. Law enforcement officers swore to protect and serve those same communities. This deficiency in law enforcement culture suggests a necessity for an accurate and efficient evaluation of the current community policing phenomenon. These inadequacies indicate additional concerns that affect the heart of community policing. This absence necessitates legitimacy and efficiency characteristics by using collaboration between the community, law enforcement, and elected officials to problem-solve and derive working solutions to concerns that detract from community safety and security. The research questions were designed to accentuate the participant’s actual lived experiences concerning the phenomenon of community policing from their perception. The participants’ responses provided significant evidence for determining desired community policing practices, emphasizing transitioning from current policing approaches to one desired by the communities served. This phenomenological research was intended to provide reliable feedback on the current community policing phenomenon practices from the perception of participants who have lived the experience of this community policing phenomenon firsthand.
Cultural Infusiosn in Tribal TANF Programs of California
(2018-12) Aguirre-Mendoza, Maria
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the inclusion of cultural components in Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program dissemination from the perception of program leadership. Observing the Tribal TANF (TTANF) program models inclusion of culture may be beneficial to the study of public administration in providing a new lens for understanding how to help vulnerable populations. Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework of this study was based on the research foundations of cultural infusion and representative bureaucracy as seen through the lens of John Kingdon’s policy stream model. Methodology. The ethnography participant observation qualitative methodology was used for this dissertation. The subjects encompass Tribal TANF program directors from Tribal TANF programs located in California who have agreed to engage in telephone and in-person interviews. Findings. Of the 16 possible Tribal TANF programs in California, six Tribal TANF program (TTP) directors chose to participate. The analysis of findings provides a description of how the cultural awareness of TTP directors impacts program practices and services provided to families on their journey of reaching self-sufficiency. Conclusion and Recommendations. This study provides understanding of how TTP directors have been able to infuse culture into program services. Recommendations for further study include (a) to explore specific Native American (NA) TTP participant outcomes of self-sufficiency through a phenomenological or case study source of methodology, (b) to investigate the success of TTP participants in comparison to state TANF participants, and (c) to examine TTP policy in comparison to state TANF program policy.
De-escalation of Force Training in Response to California Assembly Bill 392: Peace Officers: Deadly Force and Senate Bill 230: Law Enforcement: Use of Deadly Force: Training Policies
(2021-12) Ehrman, Kenneth F.
The exploratory study examined the effects of California Assembly Bill 392: Peace Officers: Deadly Force (AB 392) and California Senate Bill 230: Law Enforcement: Use of Deadly Force; Training; Policies (SB 230), which took effect on January 1, 2020, and was authored in part as a result of the officer-involved shooting of Stephon Clark, which occurred in Sacramento, California, on March 18, 2018. Next, the study focused on the training methodology utilized by the law enforcement leaders within Ventura and Santa Barbara counties prior to the enactment of AB 392 and SB 230. Similarly, the study examined the training approach employed of law enforcement leaders within Ventura and Santa Barbara counties as a result of the enactment of AB 392 and SB 230. Finally, it assessed the overall impact of AB 392 and SB 230 on the law enforcement agencies within Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The researcher used a phenomenological research design to conduct this qualitative and exploratory study. Five participants from the sample population were asked 17 questions during the semi-structured interviews related to the phenomenon associated with the passage of AB 392 and SB 230. The sample population was comprised of five chiefs of police, elected sheriffs or their designees from the 11 law enforcement agencies within Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The Effects of the 2020 COVID-19 Extreme Death Event on the Health of Funeral Industry Workers
(2022-12) Threatt, Brenda E.
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed America’s emergency response and medical systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC], 2020) defined the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as an extreme death event causing a large number of people to die in a short period of time. This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 extreme death event on the funeral industry. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to analyze the effects of the 2020 COVID-19 extreme death event on the health of funeral industry workers and the subsequent possible impact on the overall funeral care industry. This researcher conducted 20 interviews with funeral industry workers who worked in funeral homes in 2020. The phenomenological interviews captured the data from the personal experiences shared by each of the participants. This study demonstrated how the extreme death event resulted in the emotional distress of funeral industry workers. The findings from this study concluded that funeral industry workers are essential workers in a national health crisis who suffer the same stresses that first responders and medical professionals suffer. The findings provided information about improving the health of all essential workers during a national health crisis and thereby improving the systems that address public health. This study may produce further interest in individuals who work in the deathcare industry and help to bring the value of their services on par with those of first responders.
Electronic Health Record Fatigue in Patient Care at Public Hospitals in Northern California
(2022-08) Vejendla, Deepak
This mixed methods study examined provider perceptions of electronic health record (EHR) fatigue and burnout and their effects on care efficiency and effectiveness at public hospitals in northern California. The study identified factors that affect EHR user interface experience and patient safety. The research problem is whether EHR fatigue is driving burnout among providers and (b) burnout affects patient care. The study employed a convergent parallel design, which combined interviews of medical providers and the Q-methodology. The study found that EHR utilization is associated with fatigue caused by increased work burden, especially in fast-paced clinical environments. Providers perceive the association of EHR to efficiency as positive. EHR user interface complexity, conducive organizational culture, and organizational support are factors contributing to the EHR user experience. EHR is associated with higher patient safety and fewer sentinel events. The study’s findings provide further empirical affirmation of the predictions of the job demands–resources theory and Freudenberger’s theory of burnout and highlight the theoretical importance of the effectiveness-efficiency theoretical paradigm of public administration, including the legacy of scientific management. The findings have implications for the management of public health care organizations and for public policy and administration.
Employee Engagement: An Exploration in Engagement of Research Administration - Grant and Contract Officers - The Gamut Runners
(2020-03) Aguilar Palencia, Tansy N.
Research administration is a fairly new profession that is growing at a rapid speed. Research administration is a process that includes tasks that take place during the entire lifecycle of a research project (Spencer & Scott, 2017). The office of research administration (ORA) is an important component of research administration because it provides operational infrastructure, regulatory compliance oversight and guidance, financial management and reporting, and administrative services in support of research programs, faculty, staff, and students who are part of the campus research community (UCLA, 2017a). The field of research administration has undergone many changes and has continued to implement new processes since its inception in the 1940s. Research administration is initiated with the pre-award process, which includes finding funding; developing budgets; and preparing, reviewing, and submitting grant proposals. Grant proposal applications were once submitted via paper forms and required wet signatures; now, grant proposal applications are submitted electronically and can be signed digitally with the click of a button. Grant and contract officers are the personnel who work in the ORA and provide institutional administrative grant support to faculty, staff, and departments. It is evident that the grant and contract officer role is experiencing a growth in its scope of work in terms of quantity and complexity. In the years following WWII, grant and contract officers were responsible for proposal formats that were flexible, deadlines that were fluid, and terms and conditions that were negotiable. Today, grant and contract officers are responsible for proposal review and submission; contract negotiation; grant and contract management; the establishment of subaward agreements with collaborating sites; assistance with closeout processes; and administrative oversight of grants that involve the use of hazardous materials, human subjects, animal subjects, biosafety, recombinant DNA, debarment and suspension, misconduct in science procurement integrity, and conflict of interest. Existing literature illustrates that research administrators feel overworked, stressed, and underappreciated. This research study explores the topic of engagement in grant and contract officers by conducting a qualitative exploratory study using phenomenology to understand how grant and contract officers define employee engagement and how they feel about engagement in the workplace; it also explores the factors that affect their engagement.
Employee Engagement: The Path to Understanding Public Sector Silent Heroes - Millennial Accountants
(2018-08) Harris, Tanya Sarah
Millennials are the fastest growing generational cohort to enter the professional workforce. The workplace is changing, and public sector leaders need tools to attract, motivate, and retain the talent to fill the void left by baby boomers who are retiring in massive numbers. Engaging employees has been shown to increase productivity, efficiency, morale, and retention, and millennials indicated that they need and want to be engaged within their organizations. This research study explores the topic of millennial employee engagement by conducting a qualitative study using phenomenology to understand how millennials define employee engagement, their lived experiences, and the antecedents that influence their level of employee engagement. Twenty local public sector accountants were interviewed and confirmed that a universal definition of employee engagement would remain elusive. Drawing on relevant literature, individual and organizational employee engagement antecedents were selected and analyzed to determine if there is an impact on millennial public sector accountants. This study revealed that millennial public sector accountants were most influenced by management support, work/life balance, professional growth and development, having a voice, and providing technical expertise in order to help their organization serve the greater good. When millennials perceive that they will receive a benefit from their organization, they will then reciprocate with increased commitment and productivity. The results of this study may enable public sector leaders to understand how to engage millennials to bring out their greatest potential, and in turn, organizations will have the tools and resources to meet their organizational goals and mission and to provide the highest level of services to their citizens.
Employee Interview Panel Training in Local Government: Best Practices for Raters
(2020-03) Rodriguez, Alia A.
The purpose of this study was to explore how local government organizations train or prepare raters for their role of serving on a job interview panel and to discover the best practices of this process. A qualitative methodology was used to execute the study with a naturalistic approach that offered the examination of real-world, nonmanipulated situations and experiences. A grounded theory design was utilized to organically allow theory to emerge while discovering the current processes in place. Data were collected using various social media platforms that sought specific participants to complete an open-ended, nonrandom survey related to their experiences as a rater on an interview panel. The survey was closed when saturation was reached, and no further unique themes were discovered. Data were analyzed for validity and reliability before being bracketed during the coding process to look for emerging themes. This study contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of raters that participate in interview panels in a local government setting.
An Examination of Decision Making of Local Elections Officials and Voter Education Programs Throughout the State of California
(2018-12) Harris, Jesse Armon
Recent literature fails to confirm significance between direct democracy (participation in local elections and associated voter education and outreach programs) and perception of low voter turnout as a problem (Seabrook, Dyck, & Lascher, 2015). Evidently, empirical evidence is mixed, weak, or non-substantial in identifying inference of bureaucratic management of voter education programs based on perception of low voter turnout. This research study analyzed how local elections officials’ beliefs, experience, and perception of low voter turnout may have shaped their decision-making processes. This research surveyed 72 city clerks in California using a qualitative methods research design based on theoretical themes and concepts found in decision theory and procedural fairness principles. The study suggests that city clerks make decisions concentrated in bounded rationality as opposed to procedural fairness decision-making ideology.
An Exploration of Juvenile Recidivism Through the Propensity for Learned Entrepreneurship
(2020-08) Hill, Demetria
The purpose of the study was to explore entrepreneurial training as a rehabilitation option to reduce recidivism for juvenile offenders. The problem is that juvenile offenders return to incarceration at alarming rates. The United States record of rehabilitating juvenile offenders has been challenging since its inception of Juvenile Court in 1899. In 2019, the number of youth recidivating nationally was 55% while in California the recidivism rate for youth was 74.2%. The methodology of the study was a Delphi panel of 14 subject matter experts who had an average of 25 years of experience working with juvenile offenders in California. The study examined the thoughts and professional experiences of the subject matter experts, also known as panelists. Four questions were posed to the panelists over three Delphi “rounds” regarding the concept of entrepreneurial training as a rehabilitation option for juvenile offenders. A major finding was that the panelists did not agree on the California’s definition of recidivism. Other significant findings concluded that the panelists agreed on the following: (a) curriculum topics for entrepreneurial training, (b) potential obstacles a young person may face while engaged in entrepreneurship training, and (c) the benefits of entrepreneurial training for the offender and community. The researcher concluded that (a) further research should include an actual study of an entrepreneurial program for juvenile offenders to measure outcomes of rehabilitation, recidivism, and benefits to the offender and community and (b) new untested concepts such as entrepreneurial training should be tried to find unconventional ways to help young people become successful after incarceration
An Exploration of Public High School Teacher Dispositional Beliefs Regarding Teaching in a National Pandemic Environment: A Case Study
(2021-05) Schon, Dina M.
Understanding the beliefs that influence secondary public school teachers’ decisions to stay in the profession presents areas of public policy concern for all stakeholders. The negative effect on taxpayers is an estimated $8 billion annually. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in an unprecedented level of professional frustration for public secondary school teachers. An original desire to understand the beliefs that influence teacher attrition within two secondary public high schools in Southern California morphed into an eagerness to understand how beliefs undergird decisions to stay while in a pandemic. Methodology approaches for qualitative studies include questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. The effectiveness of these approaches was challenged as COVID-19 impacted our national education system and affected teachers both personally and professionally. The account of this researcher’s exploration into the uncharted waters of the utilization of these methods during a pandemic was captured to glean answers to why teachers may decide to stay in the profession.
Exploration of Transportation Obstacles for Those Seeking Selected Social Services in Northern Mississippi
(2021) Yarbrough, Greg
Transportation obstacles create problems that on the surface appear simple; turning frustratingly complex to the policy makers and public administrators tasked with tackling them in modern human communities. Two primary imperatives focus administrators and legislators attention to transportation obstacles: (a) Transportation obstacles are primary contributors to an inability to access public services, and (b) transportation obstacles prevent all citizens from benefiting equally from public services which are paid for by all members regardless of transportation ability. Literature has long identified transportation obstacles as a priority in public debate about transportation policy, practice, and social equity, with myriad studies and academic works to support the supposition that obstacles to transportation in modern society make it difficult for the least among its citizens. Missing in large part among all this work is a contemporary, operating, definition of what actually constitutes a “transportation obstacle.” The available literature is rich in quantitative data identifying “obstacles” to transportation as a major problem, but there is precious little deeper qualitative information of what obstacles are actually encountered. This study attempts to define and describe transportation obstacles. This study did this by conducting focus groups of public service providers in northern Mississippi in which the participants were asked to articulate their views on the construct and secondary effects of a transportation obstacle. This will assist legislators and administrators in developing strategies to deal with these issues.
Exploring Workplace Wellness Programs From a Police Officer's Perspective
(2020-03) Crawford, Michael
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore police officers’ perceptions of what components within a workplace wellness program (WWP) they perceive to affect their wellness. Theoretical Model. The theoretical model for this study was based on the job demands/resources model. This model does not limit itself to specific job demands or resources and assumes any resource or demand may impact employees’ health and well-being. According to the model, job demands cause a health-impairment issue to the employee while job resources impact the individual’s motivational process. Methodology. In this qualitative research study, 34 volunteers were interviewed via the online Zoom video conferencing platform. The study asked 6 semistructured, open-ended questions about which wellness components were perceived to be beneficial to their wellness and what components were perceived to be less beneficial. In addition, this study explored what components of a WWP are perceived to affect physical health, mental health, and stress. The participants are sworn police officers from eleven independent police agencies within Riverside County, California, USA. Findings and Conclusion. The study produced several repeated themes from the participants for which wellness components they perceived could be beneficial, less beneficial, and affect physical health, mental health, and stress. Recommendations. There were several limitations dealing with the convenience, snowball sampled participants that prevent the results from being generalizable to all police officers. Implications and suggestions for law enforcement agencies are discussed.

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