NCJ Number
48896
Journal
Journal of Social Issues Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (1975) Pages: 99-106
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A 6-WEEK 15-HOUR EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING COURSE WAS USED IN TWO CONNECTICUT CITIES TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. QUESTIONNAIRES SHOWED FAVORABLE CHANGE IN POLICE ATTITUDES IN MANY AREAS, BUT NOT TOWARD BLACKS.
Abstract
THE EXPERIMENTAL MODEL REACHED 300 POLICE OFFICERS UP THROUGH THE GRADE OF CAPTAIN (THE ENTIRE FORCE OF THE 2 EXPERIMENTAL CITIES) AND 150 CIVILIANS REPRESENTING MILITANT, CONSERVATIVE, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM THE POLICE OFFICERS TOOK A BATTERY OF TESTS MEASURING ATTITUDES TOWARD YOUTH, MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS, PEERS, ONSELF, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND VIOLENCE. THE COURSE MATERIALS WERE BASED ON ACTUAL POLICE SITUATIONS AND WERE DESIGNED TO EVOKE STRONG RESPONSE AND VERBAL EXCHANGE. ISSUES RAISED INCLUDED ABUSE OF POLICE POWER, HOSTILE ATTITUDES TOWARD MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS, LACK OF COOPERATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS, WIDESPREAD MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICE FUNCTION IN INNER CITY AREAS, NEED FOR MORE MINORITY MEMBERS ON THE POLICE FORCE, COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS, AND INEFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE AND CRISIS INTERVENTION MECHANISMS. ONE ISSUE RAISED DURING ALMOST EVERY SESSION WAS THE POLICE OFFICER AS A MINORITY GROUP MEMBER. THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS ADVERSE IMPACT OF A POLICE JOB ON FAMILIES, SOCIAL LIFE, AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORS IS CALLED ONE REASON FOR A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN ATTITUDES TOWARDS SELF AND THE JOB OF POLICE OFFICER. ATTITUDES TOWARD PUERTO RICANS IMPROVED AS DID ATTITUDES TOWARD YOUTHS; HOWEVER, ATTITUDES TOWARDS BLACKS DID NOT CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT DEEP-SEATED PREJUDICE CANNOT BE ELIMINATED THROUGH SHORT TRAINING PROGRAMS. IF RACIALLY STEREOTYPIC ATTITUDES ARE TO BE CHANGED, LONG-TERM OR INTENSIVE PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED. COURSE EVALUATIONS SHOWED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LEADERS IN THIS TYPE OF PRESENTATION. (GLR)