Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Department

Political Science and Public Administration

Abstract

This capstone paper examines how public administrators and human resource management (HRM) practices in Michigan local law enforcement agencies can influence the adoption of a guardian-oriented approach to policing. Using a qualitative case study method and document analysis, this study integrates peer-reviewed literature on guardian and warrior policing models with public administration and HRM frameworks. Findings indicate that due to the centralized structure of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) and standardized academy training, local agencies have limited control over recruit socialization during initial training. Thus, recruitment and hiring practices, specifically recruitment messaging, applicant self-selection, interviewing, organizational fit assessment, psychological screening, and risk evaluation, arise as critical tools for influencing organizational culture and law enforcement officer (LEO) orientation. The research shows that agencies can promote guardian-oriented policing by intentionally focusing on organizational values, correlating selection processes with those values, and prioritizing candidates predisposed to service-oriented policing. These findings provide realistic, policy-focused recommendations for Michigan local law enforcement administrators and HRM seeking to support organizational practices with community-centered policing outcomes associated with a guardian mindset.

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