NCJ Number
54822
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 28,30-32
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE PROVISION OF TRAINING AND COUNSELING SERVICES THROUGH BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE UNITS IS SUGGESTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PUNISHING OR CONCEALING OFFICERS WHOSE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS MAKE THEM UNFIT FOR PATROL DUTY.
Abstract
THE ONLY LEGITIMATE CONTROL AN EMPLOYER HAS OVER THE BEHAVIOR OF EMPLOYEES IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER, GENERALLY DELEGATED TO THE FIRST-LINE SUPERVISOR. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION LIES WITH THIS SUPERVISOR, AND USUALLY COMPETENT SUPERVISION IS ADEQUATE TO HANDLE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS. BUT WHEN COMPETENT SUPERVISION FAILS, MANY SUPERVISORS ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FIRING A PROBLEM OFFICER AND ASSIGNING THE OFFICER TO A LOW STRESS, LOW PROFILE TASK THAT DOES NOT MAKE USE OF THE OFFICER'S SKILLS AND TRAINING AND THAT OFFERS NO HOPE OF REHABILITATION. SUPERVISORS SHOULD HAVE ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE: TRAINING AND COUNSELING. TRAINING INVOLVES EXPLAINING TO OFFICERS WHAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT. COUNSELING INVOLVES EXPLAINING WHY SOMETHING IS TO BE DONE IN A CERTAIN WAY. TRAINING DEALS WITH JOB UNDERSTANDING, COUNSELING WITH MOTIVATION. SUPERVISORS SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT NECESSARY TO ENGAGE IN TRAINING AND COUNSELING THEMSELVES. WHEN OFFICERS' FEAR, INSECURITY, FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY, INSUFFICIENT DRIVE, AND OTHER PROBLEMS REQUIRE HELP THAT THE SUPERVISOR CANNOT GIVE, PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. NOT EVERY BEHAVIORALLY INADEQUATE OFFICER CAN BE REHABILITATED, BUT POLICE AGENCIES HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO IDENTIFY AND HELP THOSE WHO CAN. TO THIS END, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE UNITS IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS IS URGED. EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING PROGRAMS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF DALLAS, TEX., CHICAGO, ILL., AND OTHER CITIES ARE CITED. (LKM)