NCJ Number
78877
Journal
Enforcement Journal Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (July-August-September 1979) Pages: 1,4-6 8-11
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The selection and training of police officers to deal with extraordinary incidents of actual or threatended violence are discussed.
Abstract
In preparation for incidents of extraordinary violence, every police agency should ensure that all personnel generally and the sworn patrol and specialist officers in particular are selected and trained to maintain open two-way communications with all segments of the community. Further, they should be familiar with the agency's policies and capabilities for dealing with extraordinary violence. Preventing, controlling, and reacting to extraordinary violence requires that police personnel should be (1) racially and ethnically representative of the jurisdiction's population; (2) capable of accepting close discipline as members of a response team, as well as able to act with independent discretion; and (3) able and willing to reside within the jurisdiction served by the agency so as to nurture police-community relations and be able to respond quickly in emergencies. They should also be physically fit, able to accept verbal and even physical abuse without overreacting, and sensitive to the grievances and concerns of the community. Basic police training units, whether offered to newly recruited officers or as inservice training, should emphasize skills and information required by nonspecialized personnel for participating effectively in departmental efforts against extraordinary violence. Curriculum training units should focus on communication skills, community relations, departmental plans for emergency situations, specialized departmental units and services, civil disorder duty, and crisis information training. Components of each of these training units are described. No references are cited.