NCJ Number
225113
Date Published
August 2008
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This paper outlines the fundamental issues associated with the development and implementation of an early intervention system (EIS) within a law enforcement agency.
Abstract
This paper outlines the fundamental issues that need to be considered when developing an EIS to prevent police misconduct within a law enforcement agency. Among the issues discussed are the following suggestions for ensuring the development of a successful EIS: ensuring that the EIS covers the full cycle of risk management; focusing on remedial interventions; focusing on the prevention rather than the identification of misconduct; developing reliable, research-based indicators of problem behavior; learning from the experiences of other law enforcement agencies; evaluating and refining the EIS on an ongoing basis; providing resources for the ongoing development and management of the system; ensuring that the EIS is supported by appropriate training and education; and ensuring that the EIS is integrated with existing systems and processes. Key theoretical and practical issues are discussed, including the purpose of an EIS, the benefits of having an EIS, the underlying assumptions of an EIS, the componential structure of an EIS, the management support structure of an EIS, the process of developing an EIS, and the process of monitoring and evaluating an EIS. It was also noted that as well as helping police agencies manage risk and prevent misconduct, early intervention systems can be beneficial for individual officers as they are given an opportunity to correct problematic behavior without being inducted into a disciplinary process. Such systems are used in a number of jurisdictions in the United States and interest in their value was said to be growing in Australian jurisdictions. Figures, references