Mental Health Counseling & Excessive Force S.Gouch R.Rogers J.Williams

Research Question The main purpose of this paper is to identify possible variables that contribute to triggering police officers to use excessive force on suspects. It seeks to explain how mental health counseling plays a huge role in the use of excessive force. Null Hypothesis: Mandatory participation in mental health counseling by police officers decreases the use of excessive force.

Independent Variables Literature Review Independent Variables Race Gender Organizational Culture of the police department Education Level Uniform Color Personal Definition of Excessive Force Socioeconomic Status Availability of Psychological Services to the officer Dependent Variable Excessive Force

Method Design This research is an explanatory research study used to demonstrate a correlation between mandated counseling within the police department and decreasing the use of excessive force. A thirteen question survey will be conducted using a random sampling method that will consist of 25% of the total amount of nationwide local participating departments. Once 3,125 (25% of total population) departments are selected, websites will be visited to identify the Chief of Police and to gain further contact information such as email addresses and office phone numbers.

Limitations The data compiled from the content analysis of the survey presents limitations on the level and quality of service provided through psychological services to the officer. Are the services group or one on one counseling and how long is the session for the officer? What is the role of the counselor? Is he/she a part-time employee? Are the services limited to when they are offered? These limitations and those expressed concerning the police chief may distort findings. It is implied that it would be beneficial if the research included more information regarding the role of psychologist for local police departments.

Anticipated Findings Because those variables were not controlled for, we do not have a clear indication of how they affect excessive force rates among police officers. Therefore, our null hypothesis was not proven to be valid, due to the limitations of our research method.

Conclusion Our research is explanatory in nature, and our results indicate that there is some evidence that mandated mental health counseling will decrease the rates of excessive force incidents used by police officers. However, under the current circumstances there is not enough evidence that shows a mutually exclusive correlation between the two.