NCJ Number
61364
Date Published
1978
Length
21 pages
Annotation
AN INSTRUCTIONAL SIMULATION GAME, THIS BOOKLET DEALS WITH CONFLICT AMONG PEERS, AS AN EFFORT TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
Abstract
THE GOAL OF THE GAME IS TO EXPLORE WAYS POTENTIAL CONFLICT SITUATIONS CAN BE TURNED INTO PRODUCTIVE ENCOUNTERS. THE GAME'S PURPOSE AND RULES ARE FIRST EXPLAINED. NEXT, THE READER IS ASSIGNED THE ROLE OF A POLICE SERGEANT ON THE EVENING PATROL SHIFT, WHO COMES INTO HYPOTHETICAL CONFLICT WITH THE PLANNING AND RESEARCH SERGEANT OVER PREPARATION OF A REQUIRED REPORT. AFTER EACH PHASE OF THE CONFLICT IS DESCRIBED, THE READER IS ASKED TO MAKE A DECISION. THE READER EITHER CHOOSES AMONG ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS PRESENTED, WRITES OUT A PLANNED VERBAL STATEMENT, OR PERFORMS SOME OTHER DECISIONMAKING EXERCISE RELATED TO THE SITUATION DESCRIBED. AFTER COMPLETING EACH EXERCISE, THE READER RECEIVES FEEDBACK ON THE CHOSEN COURSE OF ACTION AND THE ALTERNATIVES. EACH ALTERNATIVE IS ASSIGNED A SCORE, WHICH THE READER RECORDS ON A WORKSHEET. SKILLS COVERED INCLUDE FACING THE CONFLICT SITUATION, APPROACHING THE OTHER PARTY TO THE CONFLICT, RECOGNIZING EMOTIONAL REACTIONS, ANTICIPATING EMOTIONAL REACTIONS, OPENING COMMUNICATIONS, DE-ESCALATING THE CONFLICT, AND ESTABLISHING AN OPEN COMMUNICATIONS CLIMATE. A SUGGESTED READING LIST IS PROVIDED. FOR TWO RELATED SIMULATION GAMES, SEE NCJ #'S 61365 AND 61366. (CFW)