Students’ perceptions of the competence development effects of use-of-force training among finance guard cadets: a quantitative study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate students’ perceptions of the competence development impact of the new use-of-force training system. In this study, the authors measured the impact of use-of-force training courses on the law enforcement competencies most relevant to the use of measures and force, namely decision-making ability, problem-solving ability, responsibility, situational awareness and perception, psychological resilience, communication skills and autonomy.Methodology: In 2023, a quantitative survey was conducted among the customs officer cadets at the Faculty of Law Enforcement of University of Public Service. To achieve the research objective, the authors used a self-compiled, seven-factor, twenty-one-item competency development rating subjective perception scale (C-SPS) to measure students’ subjective perceptions of the competence development impact of use-of-force training. 64.0% of the study sample (n = 100) was male. The mean age of respondents was 20.94 years (SD = 1.31, 95% CI: 20.67–21.20). The majority of respondents (75.0%) do not take part in use-of-force type activities in their leisure time.Findings: Students percept the highest development in the areas of use-of-force related responsibility (M = 4.54; SD = 0.70; 95% CI: 4.39–4.68), decision-making ability (M = 4.51; SD = 0.64; 95% CI: 4.38–4.64) and problem solving (M = 4.41; SD = 0.73; 95% CI: 4.26–4.55). There are no significant differences in students’ perceptions of the impact of training on competence development, neither by gender nor by specialisation. However, participation in leisure thematic activities is strongly associated with perceptions of the greater competence-developing impact of the compulsory course in use-of-force.Value: The research provides an unique insight into the effectiveness of Hungarian use-of-force training. To the authors’ knowledge, no similar study has been conducted in Hungary.