An evaluation of the police science program of Lorain County Community College

Abstract

This evaluation focuses upon the police science graduates of Lorain County Community College (LCCC) who have received an associate degree in applied science. The two primary goals of this program are (1) to prepare students for transfer to four year colleges; and (2) to provide students with technical police related courses which will enable them to function satisfactorily as police officers.

The purpose of this study was to interview graduates to determine if they are satisified with the police science program and to ascertain whether the program's two main objectives are being met. Graduates that transferred to four year colleges were asked if they felt LCCC had adequately prepared them for the transition. Graduates that were either already police officers or those that entered law enforcement after graduation were ask if the program had prepared them to perform the basic tasks required of police officers.

Since all graduates of this program were to be interviewed and they were widely dispersed geographically, it was determined that the most appropriate method of gathering information was through the use of the mailed, self-administering questionnaire. After development of the survey instrument, a pre-test was administered to five police science graduates. As a result of the pre-test, revisions were made and the revised questionnaire was mailed to all 176 graduates of this program. Within two weeks after the initial mailing a follow-up letter was sent to those who had not responded.

As a result of the initial mailing and follow-up, 115 questionnaires were completed and returned. Seven questionnaires were returned as not deliverable by the U.S. Post Office. The useable return percentage was 68.

The results of this study indicate an over-whelming majority of the graduates were satisfied with the police science program. However, the graduates did recommend some modifications which they believe would make the program more responsive to their needs.