The Effect of Higher Education in Police Supervisors’ Willingness to Use Scientific Principles

The purpose of this study is to assess the relation between police supervisors’ education level and perceived willingness to apply scientific principles when evaluating police tactics. Using survey data from a group of police supervisors attending an advanced leadership course, we examined the correlation between education and outcome variables using ordinal regression and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Findings indicated that participants’ education level did not significantly correlate with willingness to apply scientific principles when evaluating police tactics. These findings indicated a need to reevaluate police and criminal justice education programs to promote evidence-based practice and applied science. Specific recommendations and future research directions will be discussed.