AGENTS OF CHANGE - A STUDY IN POLICE REFORM

• NCJ Number: 16221
• Author(s): H TOCH; J D GRANT; R T GALVIN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 437 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH 12068
• Sale Source: John Wiley and Sons
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A POLICE TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TEST THE PREMISE THAT CHANGE CAN BE PERPETUATED AND PASSED ON BY USING A PARTICIPATORY MODEL IN WHICH THE TARGETS OF CHANGE ARE CONVERTED INTO THE AGENTS OF CHANGE.

Abstract

THIS POLICE REFORM PROJECT ATTEMPTED TO BUILD A VIOLENCE ORIENTED PROBLEM-SOLVING COMPONENT INTO THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT. RESEARCHERS STARTED WITH A GROUP OF 7 MEN (ONLY SOME OF WHOM WERE VIOLENCE-EXPERIENCED) DEFINED AS STRONG PROBLEM SOLVERS. THESE MEN STUDIED THE PROBLEM AND THEN DEVISED AN INITIAL SET OF PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES. THEY THEN BECAME LEADERS FOR A LARGER PROBLEM SOLVING GROUP. THIS SECOND GENERATION WAS COMPOSED EXCLUSIVELY OF VIOLENCE-PRONE OFFICERS WHO HAD BEEN SELECTED RANDOMLY OUT OF A HIGH-RISK GROUP TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS THAT THE PROGRAM WOULD AFFECT BEHAVIOR ON THE STREET. THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT WAS INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM THROUGH THIS METHOD OF CUMULATIVE, RECYCLING STAGES OF SELF-STUDY. THE PROGRESS OF THIS 4-MONTH PROJECT IS TRACED USING TRANSCRIPTS OF TAPED SESSIONS. THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM IN CHANGING STREET BEHAVIOR IS ALSO DISCUSSED. OAKLAND