Public Perceptions of Volunteer Police Officers

• In Event: Police Organization: Police Practice and Public Safety

Abstract

This paper assesses public opinion surrounding volunteer police officers. Specifically, how the public perceives volunteer police officers being trained compared to full-time police officers. In addition, we assess whether the public believes volunteer police officers should have access to and use the same types of tools as full-time police officers (e.g., tasers, batons, guns). Policy implications will be discussed.

Authors

• Lincoln Sloas, Florida Atlantic University

• Duha Mabchour, Florida Atlantic University

• Adam Dobrin, Florida Atlantic University

• Ross Wolf, University of Central Florida