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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine diversity training and police service differences on levels of ethnocultural empathy among Florida’s public university police officers. Ethnocultural empathy is essential for cultural competence, and cultural competence is vital for campus police officers employed at public universities in Florida. Perceptions of police officers among various minority groups and the relationships officers have with their members have long been strained by a myriad of social, political, and economic issues. During the last decade, minority enrollment at Florida’s public universities experienced double-digit growth. As a result, campus police administrators must ensure the police officers they employ maintain the cultural competence needed to promote positive relationships within the diverse academic communities they serve. Believed to be the first study of its kind, it provides an opportunity for important discourse in campus policing and beyond. Of particular value and importance is the sole significant finding that white officers are more likely to have lower levels of ethnocultural empathy compared to non-white officers.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Stefan W. Vaughn
Stefan W. Vaughn served as the Okaloosa County Florida Director of Public Safety and Chief Correctional Officer. He directed all operations of the County Correctional Facility, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, and Beach Safety. Previously, he served the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 15 years. Stefan was an appointed commissioner for the State of Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. Vaughn holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, with a specialization in diversity studies. His publications include research ethics involving prison populations, pre-trial detention holds, cultural diversity training, and campus policing. Dr. Vaughn currently serves as an adjunct instructor in the doctoral program at the University of West Florida and resides in Texas with wife, Dr. Shelby Vaughn.
Kathrine A. Johnson
Kathrine A. Johnson is an Associate Professor at the University of West Florida. She has 28 years of university teaching experience across two institutions. She teaches a variety of courses in both face-to-face and online formats. Johnson also serves as the program coordinator for the criminal justice program at the Emerald Coast Campus of UWF. Johnson holds a doctorate in Criminology from Indiana Univerity of Pennsylvania. Her publications include electronic monitoring of community offenders, sentencing, pre-trial detention holds, and multiple pedagogical articles.