Law enforcement officers' theoretical commitments influence their attitudes toward punitiveness. The study analyzed surveys of 178 law enforcement officers, finding that agreement with low self-control theory and an evolutionary/biological approach predicted more punitive attitudes, while general strain theory, rational choice theory, and social learning theory did not. Demographic factors like age, gender, and experience were not significant predictors of punitiveness. An officer's theoretical beliefs may shape their punitive attitudes more than demographics.