The Preferred Learning Style of Law Enforcement Officers: A Relational, Quantitative Study
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2022
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Abstract
Law enforcement officers are required to be educated in several areas, making decisions based on that education. The problem is that the learning style preferences of law enforcement officers in the United States are unknown, resulting in unsuccessful and ineffective training styles. Understanding officers' preferred learning styles may help with providing instruction in a way officers favor. The purpose of this quantitative relational study was to determine if a relationship exists between the preferred learning styles of law enforcement officers based on gender and the education level of officers attending a law enforcement training facility located in Central Florida. Behaviorism learning theory and transformational leadership theory were used to guide this study. A convenience, non-probability sample of 167 participants filled out a demographic and VARK questionnaire in the research. A chi-square test of independence was used to determine if a relationship exists between an officer’s learning style preference and gender and education level. Data gathered and analyzed from the study provided there was no significant relationship between gender and the preferred learning style of law enforcement officers. No significant relationship existed between education level and the preferred learning style of law enforcement officers. Continued research on the preferred learning style of law enforcement officers may offer law enforcement leaders and trainers a greater understanding of how to effectively train law enforcement officers using methods officers find helpful in learning.
Keywords: law enforcement officers, learning styles, behaviorism, transformational leadership, VARK
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