Homeland Security Roles and Responsibilities: an Examination of Texas Police Chiefs’ Perceptions
Date: August 2012
Creator: Thimamontri, Apinya
Description: Research has shown that the police industry has entered into an era of homeland security. However, whether the core functions of policing have significantly changed since September 11, 2001, has been the topic of considerable debate. Using secondary data, the research identifies variables that are most influential in predicting whether Texas police chiefs understand their departments’ homeland security roles and responsibilities. The data was originally obtained in 2007 through self-administered surveys of police chiefs attending the Texas Chief Leadership Series (TPCLS) and the New Chief Development Program (NCDP).
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc149673/
Synthetic Cannabinoid Usage among College Students: The Example of K2 and Spice
Date: August 2011
Creator: Stephens, Jason L.
Description: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the awareness and prevalence of Spice and K2 usage among a population of college students, as well as the demographics of such users. The study also sought to determine whether or not students prefer these products over natural cannabis, in addition to examining the most popular methods of obtainment and the most commonly reported side effects of K2 and Spice usage. Participants consisted of 643 undergraduate students enrolled at the University of North Texas during the fall 2011 semester. Findings indicate that while students exhibit a relatively high awareness of K2 and Spice, usage of these products is not a prevalent occurrence. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc84283/
Job Satisfaction of Juvenile Facility Directors: Results from a National Survey
Date: August 2001
Creator: Flanigan, Amy Renee
Description: This study utilizes a national survey to measure the job satisfaction of juvenile facility directors. The prior literature has focused on the experiences of line personnel within the adult correctional system, and this research serves to provide new information regarding this specific population. The current study will address the predictors and correlates of a director's job satisfaction. It is hypothesized that specific characteristics within the organization will predict job satisfaction. Issues regarding staff within an institution and their effect on a director's job satisfaction are the focus. Results indicate that staff issues significantly contribute to the job satisfaction of a director. Specifically, this research can be used to understand facility director retention, staff and juvenile related issues, and the effect of job satisfaction on criminal justice policy issues.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2903/
New Organized Crime: Problems and Issues for Information Analysis
Date: August 2001
Creator: Demirci, Suleyman
Description: This study illustrates the changing nature of organized crime at both national and international levels. Organized crime groups have changed in that they have entered the realm of high technology. In response this change, the use of new or modified analytical tools is suggested to enhance law enforcement efforts. This study highlights the problems of, and offers particular solutions for information analysis in its use in the fight against organized crime. Ultimately, it is argued that combined crime and intelligence analysis can be an effective and efficient method for the detection and prevention of modern organized crime.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2907/
A Descriptive Study of the Intelligence Community in the United States of America
Date: May 2003
Creator: Ucak, Hursit
Description: This treatise represents a descriptive study of the intelligence community in the United States. It explores the ramifications of terrorism on the intelligence function, post September 11, 2001. In-depth discussions concerning the structure of the U.S. intelligence community are presented as well as a focus on the defined steps of the intelligence process: planning and directions, collection, analysis, production, and dissemination. The final aspect of this study poses questions and issues relating to the restructuring of the U.S. intelligence community in light of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4171/
Criminal Investigations: The Impact of Patrol Officers on Solving Crime
Date: May 2007
Creator: Womack, Charissa L.
Description: This two-part study of the criminal investigation process first evaluated the frequency with which patrol officers solve cases assigned to the investigations division and then examined how detectives spent their time, both on case assignments and on other activity not related to current case assignment. Cases assigned to the investigations division for follow up were examined to determine how often a case was cleared by the patrol officer. The detective's time was then evaluated in order to determine how much time detectives spent on investigative tasks and other activities. This study confirms that the patrol officer should be given more time to conduct preliminary investigations for specific cases, and that tasks performed by detectives could be shifted to other personnel in the department. Both actions should serve to positively impact case clearance rates.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3594/
Comparative Analysis of Interrelations Between Democracy and Democratic Policing Practices
Date: August 2002
Creator: Can, Salih Hakan
Description: It is assumed that democratic policing will help to improve the respect of human rights and democracy in a given country. Using secondary data, this study explores cross-nationally the interrelation between democratic policing practices (e.g., community policing) and democracy and human rights.The results show significant positive correlation between the practice of democratic policing and indicators of democracy and respect for human rights. The analysis strongly implies that scholars have underestimated the power of policing institutions in democratic societies.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3263/
An unholy alliance: Case studies in narco-terrorism
Date: August 2002
Creator: Cakir, Reha
Description: This study is designed both as a case study and a literature-based policy analysis to assist interested parties in gaining a better understanding of controversial “narco-terrorism” phenomenon. The objectives of this study are to show the existing connection between some terrorist organizations and drug trafficking to provide academic information about and explanations for terrorism and drug trafficking, to critically analyze the biases of many current narco-terrorism doctrines and to offer a comprehensive and neutral typology that elucidates all types of narco-terrorism. This thesis is presented in four parts. The first part includes an introduction to narco-terrorism and provides a historical background of drug dilemma and terrorism. A number of definitional and conceptual arguments constituting the backbone of the study are laid out in the second part of the study. Third part consists of case studies of three different insurgent groups. An analysis of the information uncovered and presented in previous chapters and a typology of narco-terrorism are provided in the last part. Thesis is concluded with recommendations in an attempt to inspire useful policies for individuals or institutions operating on the field.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3264/
Transnational Organized Crime and the Drug Business
Date: August 2002
Creator: Aksakal, Baris
Description: This study analyzes the activities of the organized crime groups involved in the drug business, as well as examining national and international efforts to control these groups. Specifically, this study addresses the following questions: How is organized crime connected to the international drug business?; What are the major transnational organized crime groups involved in the international drug business?; What is the nature of the drug problem as it relates to organized crime internationally?; What international cooperative law enforcement efforts currently exist to deal with organized crime and the drug business? Findings indicate that efforts to create an effective international law enforcement network are needed to meet the challenges of drug trafficking and globalized crime. To date, such efforts have largely been unsuccessful.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3271/
A case study on police misconduct in the United States of America and an applicable model for the Turkish National Police.
Date: August 2002
Creator: Lofca, Izzet
Description: This study explores the underlying causes and deterrent control mechanisms of police misconduct in the United States. Outcomes of causes and control mechanisms constitute the basis for an applicable model for the Turkish National Police (TNP). Why is some police behavior deviate? What are the main determinants of police misconduct? Is police misconduct a result of sociological behavior and subcultural development within police organizations or a psychological behavior as an outcome of officers' personal traits? What are the control mechanisms for police misconduct? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Do they deter or not? Is there a control mechanism that deters better than others? What is the best deterrence model for the TNP?
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries
Permallink:digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3234/