Professor Co-Authors Climate Study of Hartford Police Department

Westfield State University Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Lisa Barao, Ph.D., co-authored an independent year-long climate study of the Hartford, Conn., Police Department (HPD).

The study, recently released by the City of Hartford, examines the department’s “weakness and avenues for organizational improvement,” and found “most officers felt that in recent years the department has been moving in a better direction and is focused on continual improvement.”

Partnering with Chelsea Farrell, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Barao used Hartford police officer surveys and interviews and administrative and case data to assess seven areas: discipline, misconduct, and harassment; diversity in promotions and assignments; equipment, resources, and training; officer wellness; recruitment and retention; transparency, communication, and fairness; and workplace environment.

More information here.