ERIC Number: ED525210
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 201
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1244-6011-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Descriptive Study of the Problem-Solving Styles of Traditional Patrol and Neighborhood Police Officers
Fitzjarrell, Shauna L.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Capella University
Recent research has indicated that when individuals recognize and gain understanding of their own problem-solving style preferences, personal learning and group performance can be enhanced (Treffinger, Selby, Isaksen, & Crumel, 2007, "An Introduction to Problem-Solving Style"). Further, adult learning theory suggests adults prefer a problem-centered orientation to learning (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2005, "The Adult Learner"; Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007, "Learning in Adulthood"). Although adults engage in problem solving each day, defining an adult's problem-solving style is a relatively new concept. In this descriptive study, the problem-solving styles of traditional patrol officers (N = 106) and neighborhood policing officers (N = 34) were examined. One recent change in policing strategy has included a shift from traditional policing approaches to a community-oriented approach where officers are assigned to function as problem solvers in the community. Traditional or patrol officers respond reactively while community-oriented officers are charged to respond proactively with a more innovative creative approach (Cordner, 1988, Pelfrey, 2004). This study investigated the problem-solving style differences between officers assigned to traditional patrol duties and those assigned as neighborhood policing officers. The VIEW: An Assessment of Problem-Solving Style was utilized in this study. VIEW measures problem-solving preferences on three dimensions, Orientation to Change (OC), Manner of Processing (MP), and Ways of Deciding (WD). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and cross tabulations were used in a quantitative analysis of the data. No significant differences in problem-solving styles were found between traditional patrol and neighborhood policing officers on each dimension concluding that the samples of police officers in this study were homogeneous in their problem-solving preferences. Independent variables years of experience, level of education, gender and age were also examined. A singular significant difference F (2, 31) = 5.52, p = 0.009 was found between neighborhood policing officer age and the problems solving preferences on the OC dimension. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Learning Theories, Problem Solving, Statistical Analysis, Neighborhoods, Police, Individual Characteristics, Age Differences, Adult Learning, Context Effect, Police Community Relationship
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Author Affiliations: N/A