Humanities Training for Law Enforcement: A Theory-Driven Evaluation

• In Event: Roundtable: Law Enforcement and Correctional Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to perform a program evaluation of the Humanities Training for Law Enforcement (HTLE) program. The HTLE was developed by Dr. Veronica Watson as an alternative to traditional diversity training programs. The HTLE program separates itself from other programs by using Black detective novels and the tools of the humanities to facilitate dialogue on race and policing. My mixed methods theory-driven evaluation relied on a review of the course materials, cadet debrief sessions, interviews, and a survey to identify the theory and goals of the program and to assess its impact. A comparison group of cadets was included in the study’s design. The evaluation revealed several strengths and weaknesses of the program. Encouragingly, the cadets enjoyed the group discussions and activities. Of concern was the cadet’s negative evaluation of the assigned readings. The effectiveness measures indicated that although the program didn’t clearly improve the measured outcomes, it didn’t make them worse. The results of the HTLE program also did not significantly differ from those of the standard diversity training. The findings of this study highlight the importance of evaluating diversity trainings and suggest that additional development may be needed to align goals with outcomes.

Author

• Bradley Keen, Indiana University of Pennsylvania