NCJ Number
58650
Date Published
1977
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THE POLICE FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION PROJECT IN WISCONSIN WAS COMPLETED IN 1976; THE GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES WITH TRAINING IN CRISIS INTERVENTION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
Abstract
SPECIFIC PROJECT OBJECTIVES WERE (1) TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF INJURY AND DEATH AMONG POLICE OFFICERS CALLED TO INTERVENE IN FAMILY AND OTHER CRISIS SITUATIONS, (2) TO CHANGE ATTITUDES OF POLICE PATROL PERSONNEL TOWARD FAMILY PROBLEMS, (3) TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF ASSAULTS AND DEATHS RELATED TO FAMILY DISPUTES, (4) TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO ARREST FOR SOCIALLY MALADJUSTED CRIMINALS, (5) TO REDUCE THE DOMESTIC RECIDIVISM RATE OF PARTICULAR PROBLEM DOMICILES THROUGH APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES AND FOLLOWUP SERVICES, (6) TO INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE TRAINING TECHNIQUES IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS, (7) TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AND (8) TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF POLICE BRUTALITY CHARGES SUBSEQUENT TO FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION. A LIST OF 21 POSSIBLE NEEDS OR SKILLS WAS DEVISED FOR USE IN TRAINING. THIS LIST WAS PRIORITIZED, GIVING TOP PRIORITY TO HUMAN RELATIONS SKILLS, INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, AND LISTENING SKILLS. EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING RATHER THAN THE LECTURE APPROACH WAS USED, AND OTHER POLICE TRAINING PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS WERE REVIEWED. DURING 14 WEEKS OF TRAINING, EACH TRAINING SESSION LASTING 1 WEEK, 130 OFFICERS FROM 18 POLICE DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATED. THE OFFICERS COMPLETED DAILY FEEDBACK SHEETS ON WHICH THEY RATED THE PRESENTATION AND CONTENT OF THE DAY'S TRAINING ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 5. IN GENERAL, TRAINING WAS WELL RECEIVED IN GENERAL, TRAINING WAS WELL RECEIVED AND RATED HIGHLY. THREE NECESSARY FACTORS IN THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE TOP COMMAND SUPPORT FOR TRAINING, LINE SUPERVISION TO PUT A PREMIUM ON THE RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT SITUATIONS BY POLICE OFFICERS, AND SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT OFFICERS DO NOT BECOME OVERINVOLVED IN CONFLICTS BECAUSE OF THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS. APPENDIXES CONTAIN A PRIORITIZED LIST OF NEEDS OR SKILLS FOR CRISIS TRAINING AND SUMMARIES OF OFFICER RATINGS ON FEEDBACK FORMS. (DEP)