Faculty Profile for Dr. Logan Joseph Somers

profile photo for Dr. Logan Joseph Somers
Dr. Logan Joseph Somers
Assistant Professor — School of Criminal Justice & Criminology
HINE 124
Scholarly/Creative Work
Grants
Service

Biography Section

Biography and Education

 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.

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Todak, N., & Somers, L. J. (2025). A tutorial on mixed methods research for policing scholars. The Police Journal, 98(2), 426–441. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X241299749
  • Somers, L. J., & Todak, N. (n.d.). Shaping police self-efficacy: A content analysis of officer views towards their duty assignments, working locations, and working times. Journal of Crime and Justice, 1–15. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2025.2454679
  • Cronin, N., Rojek, J., Uchida, C. D., Somers, L. J., & Black, H. (2025). Body-Worn Cameras in Indian Country: Perspectives from Tribal Police Chiefs (pp. 1–12).
  • Somers, L. J., Geoghan, S., & Terrill, W. (2024). A gendered assessment of police officers’ views towards promotion, specialized units, and expected rank at retirement. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 18(24), 1–10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae033
  • Foster, J. T., Zimmerman, L., Terrill, W., & Somers, L. J. (2024). Finding the path of least resistance: An examination of officer communication tactics and their impact on suspect compliance. Criminology & Public Policy, 23(3), 639–662. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12676

Selected Grants

  • Terrill, William (Principal), Somers, Logan Joseph (Co-Principal), Bishopp, Stephen (Co-Principal). Dialogue that Works: Examining Police Communication Strategies and Citizen Compliance, National Institute of Justice, Federal, $399881. (Funded: 2025 - 2026). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Editorial Review Board Member
Criminal Justice & Behavior
2025-Present
Editorial Review Board Member
Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice
2023-Present
Reviewer / Referee
Criminology & Public Policy
2025
Reviewer / Referee
Journal of Crime and Justice
2025
Reviewer / Referee
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
2025