Problem behaviors of students pursuing policing careers

Abstract

PurposeThe current study aims to examine problematic behaviors of college students who identified policing as their career of choice.Design/methodology/approachA self‐report survey was administered and behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, arrest histories, and self‐reported criminality were identified in a sample of 874 undergraduate students, 171 of whom identified policing as their career goal.FindingsFindings indicate that over 60 percent of students (including those interested in becoming police officers) engage in some level of problematic behavior. While policing students engaged in more excessive recent binge drinking, they had a lower rate of arrests and less other‐than‐marijuana drug use than other students.Research limitations/implicationsThis research relies on self‐reported data and therefore under‐ or over‐reporting may occur. While the sample of policing students has similar characteristics to those of current police officers in terms of sex and race, generalizability issues from the entire sample may be present.Practical implicationsFindings suggest the importance of identifying and conveying information to students about problematic behaviors that may prohibit gainful employment. Recruitment implications are discussed for police departments as well as implications for areas of inquiry important for background hiring investigations.Originality/valueThe current research explores problematic behaviors of college students in the context of vocational restrictions that students may face from law enforcement agencies. Findings can better prepare students for such vocations and inform hiring agencies of the range of issues from this population of applicants.

Specifics Of Interaction With Youth Prone To Substance Abuse Regarding Career Building

“…Students prone to substance abuse a priori reduce their ability to get professional success (Gray, 2011). Accordingly, primary prevention of drug-addicted behaviour is one of the areas of interaction with young people.…”

Los procesos de formación de futuros policías, ¿mejoran su salud mental? || Do processes for training future police officers improve their mental health?

“…Some of this work has focused on the study of personal, social, and demographic variables as predictors of a good future professional performance (Henson, Reyns, Klahm, and Frank, 2010), determining the possible existence of gender discrimination (Prenzler and Drex, 2013), how existing preferences for future police work impact good subsequent performance (Gray, 2011), police careers as a means to provide employment opportunities and integrate minority groups into society (Raganella and White, 2004;White, Cooper, Saunders, and Raganella, 2010), whether candidate behavior during the training period at the academy adequately predicts subsequent good performance at police work (Henson, Reyns, Klahm and Frank, 2010;Wright, Dai, and Greenbeck, 2011;White, 2008), and finally performance on the job after assuming the commission (Raganella and White, 2004;White, Cooper, Saunders, and Raganella, 2010). The selection process in and of itself, and the possible existence of some type of mental pathology among candidates (Lough and Von Treuer, 2013).…”