NCJ Number
187867
Journal
Police Quarterly Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2000 Pages: 294-314
Date Published
September 2000
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study evaluates law enforcement recruit training at the State level.
Abstract
Statewide recruit training programs supplement agency training by providing equal access for all law enforcement personnel to the latest methods and technologies and by increasing the likelihood of uniform practices across diverse communities. This study is based on an assessment survey of local, county, and State law enforcement agency recruits who participated in the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Basic Certification Course from 1996 to 1998. The study assesses recruit evaluations of training in the areas of criminal procedure, traffic control, and nontraditional police responsibilities. Evaluations of training in criminal procedure were highest, followed by assessments of training in traffic control. Recruits rated their training in nontraditional areas of police work lowest of all. A multivariate analysis of factors explaining their evaluations indicates that recruits from larger departments were less positive in evaluations of their training. The article discusses the implications of the findings as they relate to improving police training. Tables, references