Predictors of Texas Police Chiefs’ Satisfaction with Police–Prosecutor Relationships

Abstract

Although strain in police-prosecutor relationships may be built into the criminal justice system's checks and balances, the administration of criminal justice can benefit from the adoption of practices which improve these working relationships. A first step towards the adoption of such practices can be taken by first adding to the knowledge base regarding this understudied topic. Using a survey of a state-wide sample of Texas police chiefs, this exploratory study identifies which aspects of police-prosecutor interaction styles are predictors of police chiefs' satisfaction with police-prosecutor relationships. Results indicate that perceived level of police input in prosecutors' plea bargain and charging decisions, perceived directness of felony trial preparation communication method, and perceived frequency of decision-maker interactions predict police chiefs' satisfaction with police-prosecutor relationships. Policy implications are discussed.