Dissertation
Evaluating a Regional Police Peer Support Program: Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to Improve Program Integration
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
05/2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007445
Abstract
This study evaluates a regional peer support program for three smaller police agencies in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. The goal was to explore cultural and practical factors that influence the implementation process. I conducted a mixed-methods evaluation, collecting quantitative and qualitative data from sworn and professional staff across the three agencies. Over 12 months, 547 survey responses from monthly assessments measured sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), job satisfaction (Minnesota Job Satisfaction), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life). Additionally, 34 semi-structured interviews were conducted at two points during the program implementation process. Participants included sworn and professional staff, peer support team members, and non-team members. Secondary agency data was collected to assess organizational impacts, including use of force events, citizen complaints, overtime, sick and bereavement leave, training hours, and staffing ratios. I also conducted participant observations throughout the project, which served as an additional source of qualitative data. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and linear mixed-effects models. An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data, highlighting the lived experiences of agency members during the launch of the peer support team program. Findings are connected to existing policing theories, including camaraderie and masculinity, while emphasizing unique challenges faced by rural departments. This applied research, conducted in collaboration with participating agencies, provided real-time insights to support program development and adjustments. The results offer valuable guidance for regional peer support initiatives in small police agencies.
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Details
- Title
- Evaluating a Regional Police Peer Support Program
- Creators
- Megan Parks
- Contributors
- David A Makin (Advisor)Hillary Mellinger (Committee Member)Jennifer Schwartz (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 231
- Identifiers
- 99901220328001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation