NCJ Number
129800
Date Published
1990
Length
67 pages
Annotation
A survey of city and county police agencies with 500 or more sworn officers formed the basis of an analysis of current practices regarding the recruitment, selection, and police academy and field training of police officers in the United States; comparisons are made with approaches used in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
Responses came from 72 of the approximately 80 departments surveyed. Information was gathered on the population and ethnic composition of the area served, social problems, crime rates, police employment and expenditures, the characteristics of the police force, methods of recruitment, applicants and selection procedures, time devoted to training in each subject area, and the characteristics of field trainers and training programs. Results showed that police agencies in the United States have diverse organizational structures and procedures in contrast to the situation in the United Kingdom. However, societal changes and resource limitations make it crucial for police managers to establish regular communication to share knowledge, experience, and data. National organizations, university criminology departments, and other channels exist to promote this communication. A computerized database containing information from each police agency would be a useful way to promote this communication. Tables, survey instrument, and addresses of responding agencies