Broadening Their Horizons: Preparing Police Leaders to Conduct Dependable Qualitative Research

1. Broadening Their Horizons: Preparing Police Leaders to Conduct Dependable Qualitative Research A Presentation to the Distance Education Technology Symposium June 13, 2008 - Edmonton, Alberta Cynthia Blodgett, Ph.D. – ISIS Research Coach Norman E. Taylor, MDE – ISIS Program Director

2. Canadian Policing • 225 police agencies in Canada • 100 have fewer than 25 members • Range from 1 to 23,000 members • Projected 50% turnover in senior leadership • Different sources and levels of funding • Differentiated staffing considerations

3. Institute for Strategic International Studies (ISIS) • Conceived by senior police, military and justice officials in the wake of 9/11 in recognition of emerging challenges to police leadership development • A unique executive development program for succession-ready senior leaders in policing • Developed and executed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) • Pilot version designed by national team of police educators assembled and led by CACP Executive Advisor Chief Trevor McCagherty (Ret.) and Norm Taylor, Program Director • Third cohort (2003, 2006, 2008) • Goal of advancing an intelligentsia in policing and bringing about systemic changes to police culture and practices in Canada • Built on a problem-based learning (PBL) model

4. What is …. ISIS? A problem-based learning (PBL) model that combines real-life challenges and deliverables with an online community of practice, academic learning, research and field study to address current challenges in Canadian policing A rigorous and global developmental experience for current and future leaders

5. What is …. Executive PBL? An educational approach that is based on “andragogy, philosophy, psychological educational research, teaching and learning, curriculum design … a process of building on prior knowledge, problem solving, using critical thinking approaches, and reflecting” (Haslett, 2001). The problem drives the learning; an “instructional strategy in which students confront contextualized, ill-structured problems and strive to find meaningful solutions” (Rhem, 1998). “The problem grows out of the conditions of the experience being had in the present … is within the range of the capacity of students’ experience … such that it arouses in the learner an active quest for information that is production of new ideas. The new facts and new ideas thus obtained become the foundation for further experiences in which new problems are presented” (Dewey, 1979). A method of instruction “where behaviour and decision making follow from the individual’s own set of tools and resources” (Cooper, 1993). In a PBL world, evaluation “becomes not a test of the subject matter under review but an examination of the extent to which people learn anything about themselves in relationship to the subject matter” (Scott 1998).

6. Some History …. 2003 A Multi-agency Prototype Design A Global Survey Approach to Research

7. IBPRP - 2003 • 12 Police Leaders from 8 Agencies • RCMP – 4 (C/Supt., Supt., Insp.) OPP – 2 (D/Comm., Civ. Prov. Cdr.) • CDN Forces – 1 (Captain) • Municipal Police Services: • Ottawa – 1 (Insp., Civilian Director) • Durham – 1 (Supt.) • Waterloo – 1 (D/Chief) • Hamilton – 1 (Insp.) • Edmonton – 1 (Supt.)

8. For ISIS 2006: Enhancements and Refinements • A more overt concentration on PBL – student awareness • A tighter mandate and research focus for the study • Administrative and travel planning improvements • Change of venue for workshops • Broader range of expert inputs • Increased use of the online community-of-practice model • Budgeted resources for report writing

9. ISIS 2006 • 17 Police Leaders from 11 Agencies • RCMP – 6 (Supt., C/Supt., Insp.) OPP – 2 (C/Supt., Civ. Director) • Surete du Quebec – 1 (Capitaine) CDN Forces – 1 (Major) • Municipal Police Services: • Halifax – 2 (Supt., Insp) • Ottawa – 1 (Supt.) • Durham – 1 (Insp.) • Toronto – 1 (Supt.) • Waterloo – 1 (Supt.) • Winnipeg – 1 (Insp.) Canada Yukon Nunavut NorthwestTerritories British Columbia Alberta Quebec New Brunswick Manitoba Ontario Saskatchewan Nova Scotia Continue..

10. The Canadian Policing Community, others in the Criminal Justice System, and Government at all levels are seeking a Newly Articulated Model for ……. Policing that is Affordable, Accountable, Ethical and Sustainable The ISIS Team will be challenged to develop a “Turning Point” document for the benefit of the CACP and the broader community – one that will draw lessons and insights from specific practices and global experiences with a view to advancing the bigger questions facing police services and their stakeholders in Canada ISIS 2006

11. ISIS 2006 Research Sites Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland England & Wales Austria & France The Netherlands & Germany

12. ISIS 2006 Recommendations • ISIS 2006 is calling for a National Policing Strategy • CACP must take immediate steps to fully mobilize the Canadian police leadership community to become the legitimate “architects” of policing in Canada • This framework must serve to: • define policing for all Canadians, • ensure adequate and uniform response to all levels of crime and threats to public safety, • embed all policing at the local level, and • enable a self-stabilizing rationalization of national police resources 2008 Update: The CACP will introduce its National Framework for Progressive Policing in Canada (NFPP) by way of a Members’ Resolution this August at Montreal.

13. For ISIS 2008: Enhancements and Refinements • Continued concentration on overt PBL • A move toward interpretive social science and qualitative research methodology • Advanced planning for academic publication of research • Introduction of Dr. Cynthia Blodgett, ISIS 2008 Research Coach • More diverse range of expert inputs (policing, human resources, sociology, criminology, political economy, political science, education and community services) • Increased use of the online community-of-practice model • Introduction of research tools: online databases, audio recording tools, consolidated data storage (25 gb of data assembled and catalogued by ISIS 2008 to date).

14. 21 Police Leaders from 13 Agencies • RCMP – 6 (C/Supt., Insp.) OPP – 2 (Supt.) • Surete du Quebec – 1 (Capitaine) CDN Forces – 1 (Lieut. Col.) • Municipal Police Services: • Halifax – 2 (Supt.) • Ottawa – 2 (Insp., Civilian Director) • Montreal – 1 (Insp.-Chef) • Peel – 1 (Supt.) • Halton – 1 (Supt.) • Waterloo – 1 (D/Chief) • York – 1 (D/Chief) • Edmonton – 1 (Supt.) • Vancouver – 1 (Insp.) Canada Yukon Nunavut NorthwestTerritories Quebec British Columbia Alberta New Brunswick Manitoba Ontario Saskatchewan Nova Scotia ISIS 2008

15. How is ISIS Structured? JANUARY Online Community Academics & Research Workshop 1 – Academic Study & Expert Inputs Online Community Academics & Research Workshop 2 –Study Planning & Research Design Global Field Studies Total Program Time Commitment Independent Study: 60 hrs Workshop Study: 140 hrs Field Study: 120 hrs Writing Team: 30 hrs Total Study Time: 320 – 350 hrs JUNE Workshop 3 – Synthesis & Interim Report Sub-Team Final Report Writing Presentation to CACP Peers AUGUST

16. ISIS Online (via Moodle) • A private, dedicated e-learning platform • A community-of-practice (CoP) concept • Multiple Forums – Full Group and Sub-Teams • Multiple Databases – Over 280 Research Documents • Operates January through August • Moving towards an ongoing Alumni CoP Site in 2008-09

17. Workshop # 1 – Agenda

18. Workshop # 2 –Agenda

19. Workshop # 3 – Agenda Final Report Writing Workshop (Kingston) Sub-Team Representatives (Volunteers) & Norm Monday to Wednesday (noon) Writing Others Available Via Conference Call

20. Research Focus 2008: The Policing Capacity Crisis in Canada Qualitative Research to examine the relative success of existing solutions and experimental deployment models in a global context

21. The Policing Capacity Crisis in Canada Qualitative Research to examine the relative success of existing solutions and experimental deployment models in a global context At the Outset: What does this mean? Where in the world might we learn something of value? Why should we go there? Who do we know there? Who do you want to work with? When do you want to travel?

22. ISIS 2008 Qualitative Method Seminar Changing Perspectives

23. ISIS 2008 - Qualitative Method Seminar • Develop a practical understanding • Interpretive thought • QL paradigm • Appropriate research disciplines • Preparation for potential scholarly publication of results Objectives:

24. ISIS 2008 - Qualitative Method Seminar Exercises • Assumptions • Research Question • Interview Questions • Interviewing • Synthesize Data • Test • Validity - Adequacy

25. Research Statement ISIS 2008 - Qualitative Method Seminar The purpose of this multiple case study is to explore responses to societal and environmental conditions, in select international settings, that have affected the ability of the policing sector to balance capacity with public expectations. As Developed by ISIS Team

26. ISIS 2008 - Qualitative Method Seminar Areas of Inquiry • Environment • Types of policing, political changes, public expectations • Pressures • Demographic, financial, political • Responses • Legislative change, reorganization, restructuring, outsourcing • Results • Public satisfaction, public safety, crime rates • Future • Where they see themselves going

27. ISIS 2008 - Qualitative Method Seminar Validity - Adequacy • Reflexive • Peer review • Triangulation • Test • Rich, thick descriptions • External audit

28. Outcomes ISIS 2008 - Qualitative Method Seminar • Interpretive thinking • Investigating beyond numbers • Appreciation for differences • Broader and deeper focus on ‘lived experience’ of police leaders, police service members, partners and communities • Heightened recognition of multiple dimensions to the capacity question Personal Outcomes … In Their Own Words

29. ISIS 2008 Field Study Sites • Australia, USA • Belgium & Switzerland • England, Scotland, Wales • Ireland & Northern Ireland • Israel & Palestinian Authority

30. Solutions for Policing Capacity in Canada: Key Themes • Alignment with civil society • Leadership development • Service delivery and role of police in society • Human Resource systems and strategies • Technology and advantages • Accountable engagement and partnerships ISIS 2008 Preliminary Findings – To be Developed in Final Report

31. The Future of ISIS • ISIS is now represented by 50 Alumni across Canada in positions ranging from Chief (Regional Service), Deputy Commissioner (RCMP), Canadian Forces Deputy Provost Marshall, and multiple Deputy Chiefs, Chief Superintendents, Superintendents and Inspectors. • To date, ISIS has involved 18 police and justice agencies. • To date, ISIS has studied policing issues in 19 nation-state jurisdictions. • The CACP Executive has approved ISIS 2009 and registrations are now underway. • An ISIS Alumni-driven – Police Leadership Community-of-Practice – will be proposed to the CACP Board this August. For Published ISIS Reports and Continuing Information Please Visit www.cacp.ca/isis Thank you

32. References Cooper, P.A., (1993). Paradigm shifts in designed instruction: From behaviourism to cognitivism to constructivism. Educational Technology, May 12-19. Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (1992). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Charmaz, K. (2007). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Dewey, J. (1979). Experience and Education. First Touchstone Edition. Simon & Schuster Inc. Erlandson, D. A., Harris, E. L., Skipper, B. L., & Allen, S. D. (1992). Doing natural inquiry: A guide to methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Haslett, L. (2001). 1969: McMaster University introduces problem-based learning in medical education. In Daniel Schugurensky (Ed.), History of Education: Selected Moments of the 20th Century (online). Retrieved October 12, 2004 from: http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~daniel_schugurensky/assignment1/1969mcmaster.html. Lincoln, Y. S. & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills: Sage. Rhem, J. (1988). Problem-Based Learning: An Introduction. Retrieved October 12, 2004 from: http://www.ntlf.com/html/pi/9812/pbl_1.htm. Scott, S. (1998). Philosophies in action. In S. Scott, B. Spencer & A. Thomas (Eds.), Learning for life: Canadian readings in adult education. Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc. p. 102 Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.