THE EFFECT OF POLICE EDUCATION, TRAINING AND SOCIALIZATION ON CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDES

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the effects of educa tion and training and early role socialisation upon police recruit att itudes. Attitude dimensions of conservatism were assessed during a pre service university semester, at the end of police academy training and following nine and 24 months police service. Multiple regression and analyses of variance revealed that the university education program ha d a minor effect on attitudes but subsequent exposure to the police ac ademy and the job of policing has a more substantial and deliberalisin g effect In particular, attitudes towards gays, the treatment of sex o ffenders and attitudes towards youth discipline and punishment became more conservative as a result of socialisation at the police academy a nd on the job. Results indicate a general move towards more conservati ve attitudes as a result of socialisation.