NCJ Number
82527
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1982) Pages: 64-73
Date Published
1982
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Findings and recommendations are presented from a study that examined the predictability of the evaluative procedure currently administered by the Houston Police Department's (Texas) Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTO), which assesses the effectiveness of probationary officers.
Abstract
The following hypotheses were analyzed; (1) the daily evaluation form consists of specific rating categories whose mean scores are predictive of, or are significantly correlated with, important elements of job performance; and (2) the total mean score extracted from the daily evaluation form is predictive of or is significantly correlated with important elements of job performance. Overall, study results are intended to assist in the development of objective guidelines which will aid department administrators in deciding whether or not to terminate a probationary officer for failure to perform required tasks effectively. One survey instrument developed was designed to inquire into the possible existence of any rating categories within the daily evaluation form identified by the field training officers as being more important than others (such categories are referred to as 'critical tasks'). Another survey instrument was designed to obtain information on the degree of success attributed to each officer's performance after graduating from the FTO program. A sample of FTOs was used to evaluate the importance of the items listed on daily evaluations forms, and a sample of police officers generated baseline data to determine the predictive value of the daily evaluation form. Based upon the results, consideration should be given to the final unweighted FTO evaluation score and the unweighted total score of the 15 critical rating categories. Guidelines for a policy to control termination procedures are suggested. Tabular data and six references are provided.