NCJ Number
39143
Date Published
1976
Length
13 pages
Annotation
FINAL EVALUATION OF A FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING PROGRAM INSTITUTED IN THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REDUCE HOMICIDE RATES ASSOCIATED WITH FAMILY DISPUTES IN THREE AREAS OF THE CITY.
Abstract
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDED REDUCING HOMICIDES, ASSAULTS, AND REPEATED POLICE CALLS RESULTING FROM FAMILY PROBLEMS AND COUNSELING FAMILY MEMBERS WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS. TRAINING BEGAN IN JANUARY 1975 WITH AN EVENTUAL TOTAL OF 200 PATROLMEN AND SERGEANTS FROM 4 DIVISIONS PARTICIPATING IN 8, 70-HOUR INTENSIVE TRAINING SESSIONS. TRAINING CONSISTED OF LECTURES BY STAFF AND VISITING PROFESSIONALS, FILMS, VIDEO-TAPES OF SIMILAR PROJECTS, AND ROLE-PLAYING. THE IMPACT OF TRAINING ON THE INVOLVED OFFICERS WAS ASSESSED BY THEIR RESPONSES TO PRE- AND POST-TRAINING QUESTIONNAIRES. BASED ON THESE RESPONSES AND POSITIVE FEELINGS TOWARD THE TRAINING RECEIVED, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TRAINING ACADEMY CURRICULUM. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITH A MINIMUM OF HOSTILITY BETWEEN THOSE SELECTED AND THOSE NOT SELECTED ARE SET FORTH FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS WISHING TO INSTITUTE SIMILAR PROGRAMS. THE COURSE OUTLINE AND QUESTIONNAIRE USED TO ASSESS ATTITUDES TOWARD THE PROGRAM ARE ATTACHED.