Study finds the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration’s School of Police Supervision shifts officer mindset, strengthens communication, and supports culture change in law enforcement agencies
A recently released study published May 7 in the Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice found that participants in the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA)’s School of Police Supervision (SPS) program were significantly more likely to describe policing as a service-oriented profession after completing the four-week program. The findings reinforce a growing body of research showing that leadership training rooted in communication, ethics, and accountability can meaningfully shift officer mindset — offering a research-backed pathway for agencies working to build trust, professionalism, and cultural change from within.
The study, titled “Are you being served? Evaluating the impact of training on police officers’ service orientation,” found that officers were 67% more likely to describe policing as service-oriented after completing SPS. Agreement with a service mindset rose from 63% before training to 77% after. Among officers who reported gains in communication skills, the likelihood of a service-oriented response jumped from 35% to 93%.
“This study helps quantify something we’ve long believed at ILEA: that the right education can change mindsets,” said Gregory Smith, Director of ILEA. “When officers begin to see themselves as service-driven leaders and bring that perspective back to their agencies, it has the power to spark meaningful organizational change — and improve relationships with the communities they serve.”
Conducted over two years with 101 participants, the study was led by Jie Tao, Ph.D., assistant professor at Tarleton State University, and Dr. Galia Cohen, Ph.D., associate professor at Tarleton State University and ILEA instructor. Researchers administered pre- and post-program surveys to measure changes in mindset and communication competencies.
“Our research shows that when officers improve their communication skills, they’re significantly more likely to adopt a service-oriented view of policing,” said Cohen. “That shift in mindset can serve as a catalyst for broader organizational change — especially when supported by agency leadership and policy.”
Key findings from the study include:
- Training measurably shifted officers’ perceptions of their role—from regulation-focused to service-oriented.
- Officers who reported stronger gains in communication skills were significantly more likely to identify with a service-driven approach.
- First-line supervisors are well-positioned to drive culture change in their agencies.
- Training alone isn’t enough to transform departments, but it serves as a critical starting point—especially when reinforced by leadership and policy.
The SPS program is one of several leadership courses offered by ILEA. Designed for first-line and mid-level supervisors, SPS is offered several times a year and helps officers navigate the transition from fieldwork to leadership. Its curriculum emphasizes communication, ethics, procedural justice, and cultural competency — not as standalone concepts, but as the foundation of effective, service-minded policing.
For more information about ILEA, its programs, or this study, please contact CAIL/ILEA Communications Officer Karla Lárraga at klarraga@cailaw.org or (972) 244-3436.
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About the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration - The Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA) was founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1957 as a division of The Center for American and International Law, a nonprofit educational institution for lawyers, judges, and law enforcement professionals. ILEA has a well-established reputation as a leader in policing education in the United States and worldwide through innovative professional development, continuing education, and ethics/ethical decision-making programs that prepare law enforcement leaders to thrive in times of calm and during moments of crisis. Visit cailaw.org/ILEA to learn more.
About The Center for American and International Law - Founded in 1947, The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) is a nonprofit institution based in Plano, Texas, dedicated to advancing justice and promoting the rule of law through the professional development of legal and law enforcement practitioners worldwide. Today, CAIL's educational institutes have established internationally recognized forums and programs addressing law enforcement administration, energy law, international and comparative law, transnational arbitration, law and technology, criminal justice, and other relevant topics. Visit www.cailaw.org to learn more.
Study Reference - Tao, J. and Cohen, G. (2025), “Are you being served? Evaluating the impact of training on police officers’ service orientation,” Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, Vol. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-02-2025-0016
CAIL/ILEA Media Contact
Karla Lárraga, Communications Officer
(972) 244-3436 | klarraga@cailaw.org