NCJ Number
102018
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1986) Pages: 161-168
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study describes and reviews the evaluation results of police family crisis intervention (FCI) training.
Abstract
The primary models of FCI training are generalist (all officers trained), specialist (training of select officers), and generalist-specialist (training of select officers who also have other duties). The generalist model is the most widely used. Teaching methodology for all the models consists of lectures, seminars, panel discussions, films, and role-playing. The most comprehensive evaluation of FCI programs to date, the Human Resources Research Organization report on program evaluations in six demonstration cities, found that programs have similar goals. These include a reduction in officer injuries and deaths when responding to domestic calls, an improvement in police-social agency relations, the development of police skills in dealing with family disputes, and improvement in police attitudes toward family crisis intervention. Some empirical evidence indicates assaults on trained officers have been reduced, although most studies do not indicate that FCI training had such an effect. There is more evidence that trained officers are more highly rated by citizens and community agencies and that officer's attitudes toward family dispute intervention have improved. Several experimental investigations indicate trained officers demonstrate better behavioral skills in domestic conflicts than untrained officers. 71 references.