The Impact of Organizational Policies and Practices on Police Officer-Involved Motor Vehicle Collisions

• In Event: Police Policies and Procedures

Abstract

Little is currently known regarding the impact of organizational policies and practices on police officers’ driving behaviors. To address this gap in the empirical literature, this study examined the effects of agency driving policies and perceived likelihood of discipline for violations of agency driving policies on officer-involved vehicle collisions. Surveys were completed by 450 patrol officers and their supervisors from 8 law enforcement agencies in California. The surveys elicited information about the existence of driving policies regarding cell phone use, text messaging, seat belt use, and maximum speeds, and the perceived likelihood of discipline for violations of such policies as well as for infractions of policies regarding emergency and pursuit driving in general. The results and implications for practitioners and researchers will be shared.

Authors

• Geoffrey P. Alpert, Griffith University

• John Andrew Hansen, University of South Carolina

• Jeff Rojek, University of South Carolina

• Scott E. Wolfe, University of South Carolina