NCJ Number
54379
Date Published
1976
Length
199 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION SKILLS OF POLICE OFFICERS IS ASSESSED.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED AT THE OXNARD, CALIF., POLICE DEPARTMENT. TWENTY-THREE EXPERIMENTAL TRAINEES PARTICIPATED IN A 32-HOUR PROGRAM DEVELOPED FOR THE STUDY, WHILE 23 CONTROL TRAINEES RECEIVED 12 HOURS OF 'PSUEDOTRAINING.' PATROL OFFICERS, DETECTIVES, SERGEANTS, AND LIEUTENANTS PARTICIPATED. EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING INVOLVED STRUCTURED PRACTICE OF SKILLS REQUIRED IN FAMILY CRISIS MEDIATION, PRIMARILY THROUGH ROLE-PLAY EXERCISES AND SYSTEMATIC FEEDBACK FROM PEERS, THE TRAINER, VIDEO PLAYBACKS, AND MODELING. THE PSEUDOTRAINING CONSISTED OF CASE HISTORY PRESENTATIONS BY OFFICERS AND DIDACTIC 'MINILECTURES' BY THE TRAINER. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRAINING WAS ASSESSED BY MEASURING CHANGES IN OBSERVABLE INTERVIEWING BEHAVIOR AND CHANGES IN SELF-REPORTED LEVELS OF APREHENSION REGARDING COMMUNICATION. THE ASSESSMENT OF INTERVIEWING BEHAVIOR COVERED INTRODUCTIONS, 'HELPER' BEHAVIORS, AND INFORMATION GATHERING AND GIVING. THE EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING WAS EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING LASTING IMPROVEMENTS IN INTERVIEWING BEHAVIOR. SELF-REPORTED APPREHENSION ABOUT COMMUNICATION WAS REDUCED IN ALL SUBJECTS, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF TRAINING. IMPORTAINT FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL TRAINING INCLUDED THE SUPPORT OF THE POLICE CHIEF, THE PRESENCE OF RANKED OFFICERS, AND THE FACT THAT TRAINEES WERE BEING ASKED TO SERVE AS MEDIATORS RATHER THAN THERAPISTS. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS FOR FURTHER STUDY, INCLUDING A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER COMMUNICATION TRAINING SHOULD BE OFFERED TO ENTIRE DEPARTMENTS OR ONLY TO CERTAIN SPECIALISTS, ARE DISCUSSED. A LITERATURE REVIEW, DETAILS OF THE TRAINING AND OF STATISTICAL ANALYSES OF TRAINING OUTCOMES, PARTICIPANT EVALUATIONS OF THE PROGRAM, COPIES OF TRAINING MATERIALS AND EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS, SUPPORTING DATA, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.