Graduation Year

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Criminology

Major Professor

Bryanna Fox, Ph.D.

Co-Major Professor

Ráchael Powers, Ph.D.

Committee Member

John Cochran, Ph.D.

Keywords

GST, receptivity to change, subculture, self-legitimacy

Abstract

Prior research has shown that police officers’ perceptions has an influence on technological advancement implementation into an agency. Prior gunshot detection technology (GST) research has looked at how effective the technology is at decreasing response times, bringing gunfire to the attention of police, and tracking gun crime trends in the jurisdiction. However, it remains unknown whether police officers support the use of GST technology, and whether they feel that there is sufficient training and support available to them to utilize GST effectively. Therefore, this thesis aims to address several central questions regarding police officers’ perceptions of GST, their support for the use of the technology, GST’s perceived utility, effectiveness, workload burden, and how police subculture, organizational culture, and receptivity to change may potentially contribute to their viewpoints on GST. Using a sample from the Tampa Police Department, a 10-15 minute, anonymous survey was done to capture the officers’ perspectives of GST technology, their receptivity to change, their conformance to a police subculture, and their perception of their own self-legitimacy. This exploratory study had several statistical tests done to look at the relationship between these variables. Results saw that rank had a consistent effect on the agency and support of GST within the department. Officers showed that they wish to expand the GST technology into more locations and add cameras to areas where the GST technology is already located. Future research should look at the perspectives of other department officers in different jurisdictions.

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