Police Chief's Changing Perspectives on Decriminalization and Capital Punishment

• In Event: Roundtable: Policing Strategies

Abstract

Studies have shown that Police Chiefs in the United States are increasingly identifying drug addiction as a top priority in their jurisdictions, particularly in the New England area. Additionally, the lack of substance rehabilitation programs are likewise cited as contributing factors to the drug addiction problem for many police departments. Utilizing both web-based and mail surveys, this study investigates 138 New Hampshire police chief’s perceptions of drug addiction as a crime problem versus a public health problem. Chiefs were also asked about their beliefs regarding decriminalization in general, use of the death penalty, and how state resources should be allocated to reduce crime in their jurisdictions. Variations between the present findings and those from previous studies of other populations are also discussed.

Authors

• Angela Barlow, Keene State College

• Peter Stevenson, Keene State College