Contact: Aga Haupt
In a high-pressure law enforcement situation, when does the use of force become excessive?
To gain a better understanding of the issue, a Mississippi State University researcher is comparing the differences in rural and urban law enforcement settings. Kristine M. Jacquin, an assistant professor and clinical psychologist, also is seeking to learn if an inability to solve interpersonal problems contributes to individual cases of excessive force by lawmen.
Mississippi State's Office of Research and Rural Health, Safety and Security Institute are funding her seven-month study of 100 Southern and 100 Western police officers in rural and urban areas. Founded last year, the institute is a part of the university's Social Science Research Center.
"Research has shown that children and adolescents who have difficulties solving interpersonal problems often resort to violence and aggression," Jacquin said. Her goal is to determine if these personal situations generate problems for some adult law enforcement officers, she added.
Since very little is known about potential differences between rural and urban police officers, this initial phase of the study is exploratory. "Differences in the types of duties that rural and urban officers have may cause a difference in the way they handle job-related problems," she explained.
Her study defines the South as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Western states include Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
From patrolmen to detectives to officers, all duly sworn lawmen will be considered. Jacquin has assured all participants of complete confidentiality.
"This is a pilot study," she emphasized. If the exploratory phase provides intriguing data, however, she will continue with a comprehensive research effort that follows law officers from training academies through professional careers.
A long-term project, she added, could provide significant data that could be used to establish more effective programs for preventing the potential for excessive force.
"It is easy to test for problem-solving abilities and it's easy to teach problem-solving solutions," she said. "We could then teach these skills in the training academies."
ATTN: NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information about the project, telephone Dr. Jacquin at (662) 325-1022.