Predicting Police Support for a Gang Prevention Program

A gap is present in the police performance literature that exists due to the use of performance measures that are more in line with the reactive aspect of the police mission. The present study seeks to determine which individual officer and departmental characteristics are more indicative of tolerance and attitudinal compatibility with a proactive crime prevention program. Using surveys from police officers participating in the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program, this study focuses on identifying officer and departmental characteristics that are indicative of tolerance and belief (i.e. support) in the potential for the program to reduce gang membership and prevent crime. The analysis was conducted by way of mail-in survey on a national sample of 1,224 officers who completed a training program related to GREAT.