Joshua J. Davis, MACJ
PhD Student
Joshua J. Davis (Josh) is a PhD student at Texas State University and a policing scholar. He has a decade of experience working in law enforcement, having served as a patrol officer, school resource officer (SRO), investigator, truancy officer, and college security officer.
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Josh uses a qualitative approach in his research agenda. He studies local law enforcement officer and their perceptions. He believes that understanding the local law enforcement officer will help us all better understand the policing profession. He also researches school security often using a mixed methods approach.
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Josh also has an extensive teaching background. After leaving law enforcement, he worked as a middle school and high school teacher and taught law enforcement officers at the state law enforcement training academy. At Texas State, he teaches Introduction to Criminal Justice and Serial Murder, focusing on bringing his real-life experiences into the classroom.
Areas of Research
Josh researches and analyzes various aspects of policing, including officer perceptions in rural and community policing, police culutre, and police training. His work aims to contribute to the improvement of law enforcement practices and policies.
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He is currently working on multiple projects examine the Texas School Guardian Program law, which went into effect in September 2023. These include investigating Texas's training requirements for the Guardians, perceptions of the Guardian in their role and understanding the dynamic between law enforcement and the Guardians.
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Please use the link below to learn more about Josh’s research agenda, current projects, and previous grant work.
Recent Publications
2024
Davis, J.J., & Birzer, M.L. (2024). An ethnographic study of police culture in a rural Kansas police agency. Policing: An International Journal, 47(3), 353-366. https://doi.org/
Please follow the link below to learn more about Josh's publications, including upcoming ones. You are invited to explore his latest work and stay up-to-date on his research.
Academic Courses
Josh has numerous years of teaching experience as he as taught middle school, high school and at the college level.
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He also has expereince teaching in-person, hybrid and online.
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Please click on the link below to view criminal justice couses he has taught at the college level along with the respective course syllabi and student evaluations.