Jacob T. Foster

Dissertation Title: 

Striking the Balance: Analyzing How Combinations of In-Service Training Courses are Associated with Use of Force Behavior

Jacob Foster is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. His research examines police officer training, decision making, and occupational attitudes, with particular attention to how these factors shape use-of-force encounters. Grounded in the principles of evidence-based policing, his work seeks to identify “what works” by generating knowledge that informs policy and practice in ways that enhance officer performance and strengthen legitimacy in the communities they serve.

Foster’s recent publications reflect this agenda. His article in Criminology & Public Policy analyzed how both positive tenor and non-coercive communication tactics can positively influence suspect compliance, while his paper in Police Practice & Research drew on survey data from eight municipal agencies to identify predictors of depolicing behavior. His dissertation advances this line of inquiry by critically rethinking how in-service training is evaluated. Rather than isolating individual courses, his project examines how cumulative training exposure relates to officers’ use-of-force behavior. Drawing on unique data from the Phoenix Police Department, Foster compiled training rosters for more than 700 officers and linked them to thousands of encounter-level use of force reports. This unique dataset allows for systematic analysis of how the amount, type, and recency of training influence police use of force. Data collection is complete, and preliminary findings are underway.

Foster holds a Master of Science (2021) and a Bachelor of Science (2019) in Criminal Justice Sciences from Illinois State University. His broader research interests include police training, use of force, officer decision making, and occupational attitudes of law enforcement personnel.