Biography and expertise
Logan J. Somers is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Texas State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University in 2021.
His research focuses largely on emerging topics within policing such as officer work experience, police use of force, officer mindset (i.e., perceptions of danger), and evidence-based policing. This work can be seen in the Criminal Justice and Behavior, Police Quarterly, Justice Quarterly, Criminal Justice and Policy Review, Policing and Society, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, and Behavioral Sciences and the Law among others.
His research focuses largely on emerging topics within policing such as officer work experience, police use of force, officer mindset (i.e., perceptions of danger), and evidence-based policing. This work can be seen in the Criminal Justice and Behavior, Police Quarterly, Justice Quarterly, Criminal Justice and Policy Review, Policing and Society, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, and Behavioral Sciences and the Law among others.
Education
Doctorate Degree
PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Arizona State University, 2021
Master's Degree
MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Arizona State University, 2016
Featured grants
- Terrill, William (Principal), Somers, Logan J. (Co-Principal), Bishopp, Stephen (Co-Principal). Dialogue that Works: Examining Police Communication Strategies and Citizen Compliance, National Institute of Justice, Federal, $399881. (Funded: 2025 - 2027). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Somers, L. J., & Todak, N. (2026). Shaping police self-efficacy: A content analysis of officer views towards their duty assignments, working locations, and working times. Journal of Crime and Justice, 49(1), 52–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2025.2454679
- Somers, L. J., Todak, N., Mourtgos, S. M., & Adams, I. T. (2026). Through thick and thin: Comparing traditional qualitative analysis and natural language processing techniques using narrative data from police officers. Justice Quarterly, 43(3), 754–774. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418825.2025.2564394
- Terrill, W., Zimmerman, L., & Somers, L. J. (2023). Applying video-based systematic social observation to police use of force encounters: An assessment of de-escalation and escalation within the context of proportionality and incrementalism. Justice Quarterly, 40(7), 1045–1076. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418825.2023.2222819
- Somers, L. J., & Terrill, W. (2022). Examining the relationship between the unique work experiences and cultural orientations of police officers. Criminal Justice Studies, 35(2), 182–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2021.2019032
- Somers, L. J., & Terrill, W. (2022). Confidence in their craft: An assessment of the relationship between officer work experiences and their perceptions of self-efficacy. Criminal Justice & Behavior, 49(11), 1656–1675. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00938548221105879
Featured service activities
- Member
Director Search Committee, Texas State University
- Member
Policies Committee, Texas State University
- Member
Doctoral Steering Committee, Texas State University
- Editorial Review Board Member
Criminal Justice & Behavior
- Editorial Review Board Member
Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice
- Chair
Speaker Series Committee, Texas State University