Document Type
Essay
Publication Date
Spring 2026
Abstract
This research investigates pre-service training for law enforcement officers (LEOs), specifically examining how current educational practices prepare them to interact with vulnerable populations, including victims, suspects, and individuals in crisis. The quality of this training is critical, as it directly shapes officer behavior, decision-making, and ethical conduct in the field (Mier, 2018). Amid heightened public scrutiny of police practices and calls for reform, the effectiveness of law enforcement education has become a central concern.
The significance of this topic is underscored by extensive research on training methodologies such as procedural justice and de-escalation, which aim to improve police-community relations and reduce adverse outcomes (Antrobus et al., 2018; Engel et al., 2022; Skogan et al., 2014). However, significant questions remain about potential gaps in academic curricula, particularly concerning practical skills for engaging with individuals experiencing mental illness (Rogers et al., 2019) or developmental disorders (Hinkle & Lerman, 2021). By examining the content and perceived efficacy of pre-service programs, this study seeks to identify opportunities for improving outcomes for both officers and the communities they serve.
Recommended Citation
Eiselman, Rowan, "1st Place Research Paper: "Gaps in the Academy: Evaluating Pre-Service Criminal Justice Training for Interactions with Vulnerable Populations"" (2026). Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize. 50.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/undergraduateresearchprize/50
Included in
Educational Methods Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Other Education Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Affairs Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons
Comments
Rowan Eiselman won First Place in the 2026 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize for her research on the effectiveness of pre-service law enforcement training. This essay is the original scholarship that emerged from that research.