NCJ Number
119194
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 58-60
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Indianapolis Police Department has established a structured selection program and training course to choose and train new detectives to replace the poor selection processes and on-the-job training common to detectives in the United States.
Abstract
The program was developed following a 1981 meeting at which administrators recognized the need for objective selection criteria and training that would not depend entirely on the teaching skills of the senior detectives to whom newly appointed detectives were assigned. Staff also recognized that the necessary instruction was too complex to be accomplished by staff of the Indianapolis Police Department Training Academy. Thus, specialists in State and Federal agencies were recruited to conduct parts of the training. The Detective Training School is also being used by other police agencies in the midwest. The program's results have suggested several approaches that would be useful for agencies developing their own detective training courses. These include having both new and experienced investigators attend the training, opening detective training to street officers, and obtaining input from agencies that have daily contact with investigators. Photographs.