NCJ Number
134340
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1992) Pages: 22-26
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The results of a survey of management training practices are presented for 144 police agencies across the United States.
Abstract
The questionnaire used in this survey assessed a department's recruit training, inservice training, first-line supervisory training, and middle-management training. In addition, respondents listed problems encountered in the absence of management training and provided demographic information on city population and staffing levels. Of the 144 agencies surveyed, 123 (85.4 percent) responded. The results indicate that first-line supervisor's training in major police departments is perceived to be very important. About 97 percent of the departments provide in-house supervisory training, and 78 percent of these agencies make the training mandatory. In contrast, only the most progressive departments are designing, developing, and presenting tailor made middle management and executive training programs to their manager. Respondents strongly felt that decreased effectiveness of the department and disciplinary problems would result in the absence of a police managerial training program. These findings suggest that current supervisory training develops the skills necessary to handle both people and procedures properly and that middle management and executive training cover professional skills such as budgeting, management by objectives, and labor relations. Overall the respondents indicated that a progressive training philosophy and program for management personnel is essential for effective daily operations as well as for long term strategic planning.