Strategies for Intervening with Officers through Early Intervention Systems: A Guide for Front-Line Supervisors

• NCJ Number: 213138
• Author(s): Samuel Walker Ph.D.; Stacy Osnick Milligan; Anna Berke
• Date Published: February 2006
• Length: 82 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Corporate Author: Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
• Sale Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Handbook
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded February 24, 2006.

Annotation

This guide provides practical recommendations for law enforcement supervisors on the management of early intervention systems (EIS), particularly in terms of providing appropriate interventions.

Abstract

Five guiding principles are presented: (1) first-line supervisors are crucial to the success of EIS; (2) EIS requires supervisors to take on additional job responsibilities; (3) supervisors will need intervention options that are flexible enough to meet the wide range of officers’ needs; (4) EIS should be part of an agency’s larger approach to supporting officers; and (5) EIS is a valuable administrative tool that can enhance accountability and integrity. Following the introduction, the guide discusses the importance of supervisors understanding their EIS systems and disseminating this knowledge to officers. The next section outlines the new role of the supervisors in relation to the EIS system, focusing on the proactive approach required by the system and the data analysis and paperwork associated with managing any EIS system. Next, the guide focuses on approaches to interventions when an officer reaches an EIS threshold. The guide offers advice on identifying and approaching officers in need of intervention, as well as advice on how to choose an appropriate intervention. This section provides a listing of promising intervention programs. The final section addresses the role of EIS in enhancing officer, and ultimately agency, integrity. It also discusses morale problems and hostility that may emerge as a result of the EIS. The guide and recommendations are based on a study that examined how law enforcement agencies using EIS handle issues regarding supervision and intervention. The study methodology involved telephone interviews with approximately 50 small, medium, and large law enforcement agencies that were known to have efficient EIS systems. Nine agencies were examined more closely in terms of their supervision and intervention processes and a 1-day panel was convened with law enforcement practitioners with expertise in EIS. References, appendixes