The Effect of Police Education, Training and Socialisation on Conservative Attitudes

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the effects of education and training and early role socialisation upon police recruit attitudes. Attitude dimensions of conservatism were assessed during a preservice university semester, at the end of police academy training and following nine and 24 months police service. Multiple regression and analyses of variance revealed that the university education program had a minor effect on attitudes but subsequent exposure to the police academy and the job of policing has a more substantial and deliberalising effect. In particular, attitudes towards gays, the treatment of sex offenders and attitudes towards youth discipline and punishment became more conservative as a result of socialisation at the police academy and on the job. Results indicate a general move towards moreconservative attitudes as a result of socialisation.