A Qualitative Study of the New Jersey State Police Promotion Policy

This dissertation sought to ascertain the attitudes of retired African- American New Jersey State Troopers regarding the New Jersey State Police Education Promotion Policy. It utilized a triangulation methodology to offset any researcher bias. Ten African-American retired State Troopers and four White retired State Troopers served as the subjects for the study. The subjects were interviewed via telephone. All of the data were coded utilizing Atlast Ti 5.1 software and transcribed by the author. The research questioned the feasibility and timing of the education promotion policy. The respondents of the research believed the timing of the policy was unfair and should have been grandfathered in for those who had been employed prior to its implementation. The respondents also reported they received greater recognition for their educational credentials after they retired from the New Jersey State Police, contrary to the premise of the policy.