Defense Date

3-19-2026

Graduation Date

Spring 5-9-2026

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

EdD

Department

Educational Studies (General Education)

School

School of Education

Committee Chair

Deborah Luckett

Committee Member

Tara Abbott

Committee Member

Fran Serenka

Committee Member

Norm Conti

Keywords

police, police training, police culture, socialization, police reform, improvement science, police mental health

Abstract

Abundant examples of negative community-police interactions demonstrate strained relations between marginalized community members and police across the United States. Likewise, nationwide data demonstrates discrepancies in how officers interact with People of Color versus White citizens. To gain insight into influences on officer behavior, this research shines a spotlight on the occupational culture of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) and the ways this specific occupational culture informs officer thoughts and behaviors. Via the analysis of the experiences of four former PBP officers, this research explores how culture impacts officer perspective, thoughts, and behaviors. Utilizing an interpretative phenomenological approach, data analysis led to the emergence of four themes representing convergences of participants’ experiences and meaning-making processes. The data informed the creation of recommendations aimed to improve the quality of work experience for PBP officers. Recommendations were developed based on the principles of improvement science.

Language

English

Supplemental files
KLINE-COSTA-2026.docx (4701 kB)
TKC DISS WORD
Download

Additional files available below

Share

COinS