NCJ Number
161265
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1995) Pages: 45-69
Date Published
1995
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article presents the findings of a process evaluation of training for Chicago's Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS), which is the city's version of community policing.
Abstract
A consulting firm's study of the policing practices of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) led to its recommendation that the CPD adopt a neighborhood-based strategy, which involves a transition from incident-driven policing toward community- oriented policing. CAPS training for personnel in the five prototype districts consisted of two primary phases: orientation and skills building. The evaluation study's approach and instrumentation were adopted from the field of adult education and involved observation and ratings of trainee and trainer behaviors. The two types of training were observed by the evaluators, and personal interviews were conducted with sergeants, lieutenants, and sworn trainers. Overall, the trainers were enthusiastic and knowledgeable, but did not make adequate use of innovative techniques to draw participants into the learning process. Some recommendations based on the findings are not to rush the planning stages of training, avoid bringing in inexperienced civilians to conduct training, precisely define community policing before training begins, make training relevant to police practices, avoid imposing one type of training for all participants, and present training materials in a variety of formats. 6 tables and 26 references