The Cop Has An Attitude: Exploring Attitudes of Rural Officers toward Juvenile Court and Community Resources

• In Event: Criminal Justice Issues Facing Rural and Smaller Jurisdictions

Abstract

In an effort to better understand officer attitudes toward juvenile court, rehabilitation, disposition, and community resources, this research uses a mixed method approach. Survey and interview data from officers working in a rural community is used to analyze common themes among officers and delineate variables serving as predictors of police attitudes. Findings suggest that officer demographic characteristics, education, and police experience serve as major predictors of their attitudes toward juvenile court, rehabilitation, disposition, and community resources. Policy implications, limitations, and directions for future research are also discussed.

Author

• Sherry Lynn Skaggs, University of Central Arkansas