Digital Commons Network^™

Police Perceptions Of Their External Legitimacy In High And Low Crime Areas Of The Community, Justin Nix

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Until recently, police legitimacy research has primarily focused on citizen perceptions of the police. However, it may be that the police believe citizens associate other factors, such as distributive justice or performance, with legitimacy. The present study adds to the literature by surveying a nationally representative sample of U.S. police officers about how they believe citizens residing in high and low crime areas of the community evaluate police in terms of legitimacy. Findings suggest that respondents believe procedural justice and distributive justice are important to citizens of both areas in terms of generating trust. At the same time, respondents believe …

Latinos Throughout The City: A Snapshot Of Socio-Demographic Differences In Omaha, Nebraska, Jasney Cogua-Lopez, Lissette Aliaga-Linares, Lourdes Gouveia

Latino/Latin American Studies Reports

Researchers from OLLAS have released a new report detailing the demographic makeup of Latinos throughout Omaha. This is the first detailed analysis of the trends of Latinos living in various parts of the entire city. It confirms and challenges generalizations that are frequently made about this population in Omaha.

The report chronicles the dispersion of Latinos throughout the city and their increasing diversity. This publication highlights that geographic location is predictably tied to socioeconomic conditions. The farther west in the city Latinos live, the more advantaged they are. This pattern also holds true for indicators such as educational attainment, income …

Borders Up In Smoke: Marijuana Enforcement In Nebraska After Colorado’S Legalization Of Medicinal Marijuana, Jared M. Ellison, Ryan E. Spohn

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

With the passage of Amendments 20 (2000) and 64 (2012), Colorado legalized the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana. Nebraskan law enforcement in border counties subsequently reported increases in arrests and reductions in jail space. In response, the Nebraska state legislature passed LR-520 to study the potential increased costs incurred by criminal justice agencies in border counties. To investigate this situation, we compare trends in drug arrests and jail occupancy across three areas: border counties, those that contain Interstate 80 (I-80) as a major transportation route, and the remaining counties in the state of Nebraska from 2000 through 2013. We …

The Impact Of Negative Publicity On Police Self-Legitimacy, Justin Nix, Scott E. Wolfe

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

High-profile events involving police use of force in various cities throughout the US and internationally have garnered enormous media coverage and demonstrated the importance of police-community relations. To date little empirical attention has focused on how such events may negatively impact police officers. Using survey data from 567 officers, this study considers whether perceptions of negative publicity are adversely related to officers’ sense of self-legitimacy (i.e. the confidence they have in their authority). Findings revealed officers who felt less motivated as a result of negative publicity expressed less self-legitimacy. However, the degree to which officers felt their job had become …

The Association Between Mental Health And Violence Among A Nationally Representative Sample Of College Students From The United States, Joesph A. Schwartz, Kevin M. Beaver, J. C. Barnes

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Objectives

Recent violent attacks on college campuses in the United States have sparked discussions regarding the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the perpetration of violence among college students. While previous studies have examined the potential association between mental health problems and violent behavior, the overall pattern of findings flowing from this literature remain mixed and no previous studies have examined such associations among college students.

Methods

The current study makes use of a nationally representative sample of 3,929 college students from the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to examine the prevalence of seven violent behaviors and …

Intimate Partner Violence And Subsequent Depression: Examining The Roles Of Neighborhood Supportive Mechanisms, Emily M. Wright, Gillian M. Pinchevsky, Michael L. Benson, Dana L. Radatz

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

This study examines the direct effects of neighborhood supportive mechanisms (e.g., collective efficacy, social cohesion, social networks) on depressive symptoms among females as well as their moderating effects on the impact of IPV on subsequent depressive symptoms. A multilevel, multivariate Rasch model was used with data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods to assess the existence of IPV and later susceptibility of depressive symptoms among 2959 adult females in 80 neighborhoods. Results indicate that neighborhood collective efficacy, social cohesion, social interactions, and the number of friends and family in the neighborhood reduce the likelihood that females experience …

Proposing A Pedigree Risk Measurement Strategy: Capturing The Intergenerational Transmission Of Antisocial Behavior In A Nationally Representative Sample Of Adults, Joesph A. Schwartz, Eric J. Connelly, Kevin M. Beaver, Joseph L. Nedelec, Michael G. Vaughn

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

An impressive literature has revealed that variation in virtually every measurable phenotype is the result of a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Based on these findings, studies that fail to use genetically informed modeling strategies risk model misspecification and biased parameter estimates. Twin- and adoption-based research designs have frequently been used to overcome this limitation. Despite the many advantages of such approaches, many available datasets do not contain samples of twins, siblings or adoptees, making it impossible to utilize these modeling strategies. The current study proposes a measurement strategy for estimating the intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior (ASB) within …

A Multi-Level Analysis Of The Impact Of Neighborhood Structural And Social Factors On Adolescent Substance Use, Abigail A. Fagan, Emily M. Wright, Gillian M. Pichevsky

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Background This paper examined the effects of neighborhood structural (i.e., economic disadvantage, immigrant concentration, residential stability) and social (e.g., collective efficacy, social network interactions, intolerance of drug use, legal cynicism) factors on the likelihood of any adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Methods Analyses drew upon information from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN). Data were obtained from a survey of adult residents of 79 Chicago neighborhoods, two waves of interviews with 1657 to 1664 care-givers and youth aged 8 to 16 years, and information from the 1990 U.S. Census Bureau. Hierarchical Bernoulli regression models estimated the …

Do The Police Believe That Legitimacy Promotes Cooperation From The Public?, Justin Nix

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Tyler’s process-based model of regulation suggests that when citizens perceive the police as a legitimate authority, they are more likely to cooperate in the form of reporting crimes and providing information to the police. Yet most studies have considered citizens’ perceptions of police legitimacy—few studies have asked the police what they feel makes them legitimate in the eyes of the public. Likewise, no studies have considered whether the police believe legitimacy is associated with cooperation from the public. The present study addresses this gap using data from a stratified sample of U.S. police executives. Findings suggest police believe performance, rather …

Impact Of Maternal Incarceration On The Criminal Justice Involvement Of Adult Offspring: A Research Note, Lisa Muftic, Leana A. Bouffard, Gaylene Armstrong

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Objectives:

Methods:

Results:

The Lancaster County Juvenile Reentry Project - Follow-Up Report, Anne M. Hobbs, Sommer Fousek

Reports

In 2011, Lancaster County received a planning grant under the Second Chance Act administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Using these funds, a team of stakeholders examined the limited reentry services available to juveniles who return to Lancaster County after a stay in a Nebraska Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC).

The following year, Lancaster County officials brought together multiple agencies to develop a systematic juvenile reentry approach, which subsequently became known as the Lancaster County Juvenile Reentry Project. From January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015, a total of 126 youth were served under the …

Does Polyvictimization Affect Incarcerated And Non-Incarcerated Adult Women Differently? An Exploration Into Internalizing Problems, Dana L. Radatz, Emily M. Wright

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

In this study, we used data from life histories of 424 non-incarcerated (n = 266) and incarcerated (n = 158) women to examine the extent to which women are exposed to multiple forms of victimization, including child abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and traumatic life events. We assessed the effects of polyvictimization (e.g., multiple victimizations) on women’s health-related outcomes (e.g., attempted suicide, drug and alcohol problems) as well as whether the prevalence rates and effects of victimization were significantly different between the subsamples of women. Results indicate that incarcerated women experience significantly more victimization than non-incarcerated women, and while …

The Relationship Between Work–Family Conflict, Correctional Officer Job Stress, And Job Satisfaction, Gaylene Armstrong, Cassandra A. Atkin-Plunk, Jessica Wells

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Balancing demands between work and family domains can strain even the most resourceful employee. When the tipping point of conflict between the two is reached, a negative impact on employee well-being can result. Within correctional environments, the psychosocial well-being of officers is critical given the potentially significant impact of having a “bad day on the job.” This study examines work–family conflict as it relates to job stress and job satisfaction within a diverse sample of correctional officers (N = 441) employed at 13 public, adult correctional facilities in a Southern state. Findings indicate strain and behavior-based work–family conflict and …

The President's Task Force On 21st Century Policing: Final Report, Office Of Community Oriented Policing Services, Erin M. Kearns

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

The task force recommendations are presented under six topics: "Building Trust and Legitimacy," Policy and Oversight," "Technology and Social Media," "Community Policing and Crime Reduction," "Officer Training and Education," and "Officer Safety and Wellness." Each of the recommendations in these topic areas include suggested action steps. One of two overarching recommendations is that the President support the establishment of a National Crime and Justice Task Force to examine all areas of criminal justice and pose reforms. As a corollary to this recommendation, the second overarching recommendation is that the President support programs that take a comprehensive and inclusive look at …

Is Service-Learning The Answer? Preparing Teacher Candidates To Work With Ells Through Service-Learning Experiences, Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo

Scholarship of Metropolitan Mission

In an effort to address the gaps in preparing teacher candidates (TCs) to work with English Language Learners (ELLs), service-learning experiences (SLE) were integrated into two courses within a teacher education program. This exploratory case study sought to explore the outcomes of teacher candidates (TCs) engaged in SLE with diverse students and families, particularly ELLs. Content analysis of students’ reflections provided insights of the impact of the SLE. Findings indicate that participating in service-learning with ELLs provides opportunities for TCs to engage in positive interactions that help to address misconceptions about students, families, and communities. TCs also began to confront …

Sustaining A Successful Community Partnership: A Ten Year Retrospective Of Quality Practices And Sustainability Applied To Service-Learning At The Douglas County Department Of Corrections, Donna Dufner, Judith Monarrez Diaz-Kelsey

Presentations

• One of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s three stated strategic goals is to be “…recognized for its outstanding engagement with the urban, regional, national, and global communities.”
• Starting in fall 2004 the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) implemented a service-learning course that takes college students into the Douglas County Department of Corrections (DCDC) to teach basic computer skills to inmates. To date over 200 undergraduates and 600 inmates have completed the course.
• Quality practices (NYLC 2008) such as progress monitoring, duration and intensity, participant voice, partnerships, meaningful service, link to the curriculum, reflection, diversity, planning, and impact used …

The Role Of Parenting In The Prediction Of Criminal Involvement: Findings From A Nationally Representative Sample Of Youth And A Sample Of Adopted Youth, Kevin M. Beaver, Joesph A. Schwartz, Eric J. Connolly, Mohammed Said Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed Nezar Kobeisy

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

The role of parenting in the development of criminal behavior has been the source of a vast amount of research, with the majority of studies detecting statistically significant associations between dimensions of parenting and measures of criminal involvement. An emerging group of scholars, however, has drawn attention to the methodological limitations—mainly genetic confounding—of the parental socialization literature. The current study addressed this limitation by analyzing a sample of adoptees to assess the association between 8 parenting measures and 4 criminal justice outcome measures. The results revealed very little evidence of parental socialization effects on criminal behavior before controlling for genetic …

Selected Demographic And Economic Information For Platte County, Jerry Deichert, Bob Blair

Presentations

Population and Population Change: 1970 to 2013.

Integrating The Principles Of Effective Intervention Into Batterer Intervention Programming: The Case For Moving Toward More Evidence-Based Programming, Dana L. Radatz, Emily M. Wright

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

The majority of batterer intervention program (BIP) evaluations have indicated they are marginally effective in reducing domestic violence recidivism. Meanwhile, correctional programs used to treat a variety of offenders (e.g., substance users, violent offenders, and so forth) that adhere to the “principles of effective intervention” (PEI) have reported significant reductions in recidivism. This article introduces the PEI—the principles on which evidence-based practices in correctional rehabilitation are based—and identifies the degree to which they are currently integrated into BIPs. The case is made that batterer programs could be more effective if they incorporate the PEI. Recommendations for further integration of the …

Analysis Of The Nebraska Intake Risk Assessment Instrument, Sarah Moore, Anne M. Hobbs

Reports

Under current Nebraska law, a youth in Nebraska should be placed in a secure detention facility for only two reasons: (1) “immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of such juvenile or the person or property of another or (2) if it appears that such juvenile is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court” (Rev. Stat. § 43-251.01(5)).

In the State of Nebraska, the Office of Juvenile Probation Administration screens youth using the Nebraska Juvenile Intake Screening Risk Assessment prior to making a determination whether to detain the youth. The assessment is referred to in this report as the …

State Of The University Address, Uno Office Of The Chancellor

Chancellor’s Speeches

Good afternoon, and welcome to the 2015 State of the University Address.

On August 26, 2015, the Omaha World-Herald published an editorial titled: “Mavs move to the big time.” The region’s largest newspaper said this of our university:

“There’s something deeper brewing, a sense of Maverick pride.”

If you walk around UNO today, in very little time, you will feel the pride and the momentum thriving in this place we call home. The spirit among students, faculty, and staff is unlike anything I have witnessed – or felt – in my forty years as a Maverick.

Community And University Building Partner Work-Study Program, Barbara A. Pickering, Robyn Long, Lucy Garza Westbrook, Jermaine Jones

Presentations

1. The UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center 2. Community Partners: Avenue Scholars Foundation and Metropolitan Community College 3. Placement Organization: Service Learning Academy 4. Evaluation Model: Institutional Commitment to Service (Holland, 1997)

Community Engagement At Uno, Deborah Smith-Howell

Presentations

Presented at the President's Advisory Council

2015 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Uno Office Of Academic Affairs

Community Engagement Award Applications

Program Purpose: The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. The Honor Roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical role of higher education in strengthening communities. The President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge is a parallel national initiative that was launched in 2011, based on recommendations from President Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Administered by The White House …

2015 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, Uno Office Of Academic Affairs

Community Engagement Award Applications

In 2006, the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), was one of the first groups of colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie elective classification for community engagement. UNO's classification was for both curricular engagement and outreach and partnerships.

The Uno Fact Book (2015-2016), University Communications

Programs and Brochures

The UNO Fact Book: Know The O

Weitz Cec Art Viewbook, Weitz Cec

Programs and Brochures

This brochure lists art purchased through the building fund or donated to the Weitz CEC. The core collection was acquired through a competitive process open to UNO faculty, staff, students, and local area artists. A committee comprised of art and design professionals and university volunteers selected works that represent both the individual artist’s interpretation of the Weitz CEC vision and the collective talent of Omaha’s vibrant visual arts community.

Uno Advantage Book, University Communications

Programs and Brochures

The UNO Advantage Book, 2015-2016 features the Know the O campaign. Greeting from Chancellor John E. Christensen:

"For 107 years, UNO has served as this state’s point of access for excellence in higher education. Our equation for distinction is quite simple: hire extraordinary faculty and staff; offer a broad range of relevant and unique programs; enroll committed and passionate undergraduate and graduate students; build state-of-the-art learning, teaching and living spaces; offer the most competitively priced tuition in the region; infuse engagement, creativity, diversity and community into the culture; leverage the opportunities of a great city; and build a network of …

Enlisting In The Military: The Influential Role Of Genetic Factors, Kevin M. Beaver, J. C. Barnes, Joesph A. Schwartz, Brian B. Boutwell

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Given that enlistment in the U.S. military is completely voluntary, there has been a great deal of interest in identifying the various factors that might explain why some people join the military, whereas others do not. The current study expanded on this line of literature by estimating the extent to which genetic and environmental factors explained variance in the liability for lifetime participation in the military. Analysis of twin pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) revealed that 82% of the variance was the result of genetic factors, 18% of the variance was …

Exposure To Violence, Substance Use, And Neighborhood Context, Abigail A. Fagan, Emily M. Wright, Gillian M. Pichevsky

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Adolescent exposure to violence and substance use are both public health problems, but how neighborhood context contributes to these outcomes is unclear. This study uses prospective data from 1416 adolescents to examine the direct and interacting influences of victimization and neighborhood factors on adolescent substance use. Based on hierarchical Bernoulli regression models that controlled for prior substance use and multiple individual-level factors, exposure to violence significantly increased the likelihood of marijuana use but not alcohol use or binge drinking. There was little evidence that community norms regarding adolescent substance use influenced rates of substance use or moderated the impact of …