NCJ Number
144868
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 41 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 150-153
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Although training is accepted by most police officers as being essential to police work, a 1991 survey of Illinois municipal police training practices revealed that training receives relatively little attention and focused on several issues related to police inservice education.
Abstract
Training funds amounted to an average of only 1.1 percent of total agency budgets. Fifteen percent of the agencies budgeted no funds for training and provided no training beyond the recruit level. The courses listed as most needed were supervision and management courses, law updates, and various forensic topics. However, the courses to which patrol officers were most often sent usually involved law updates, breath alcohol testing, and accident investigations. Training in control tactics and firearms use did not match needs or daily practice. Lack of money was often cited as the main reason for the lack of training. Although in principle, police agencies should provide training, police officers who assume some of the costs of training clearly show their interest and motivation to professionalism. Another solution is for the agency to find areas where costs can be cut so that funds may be diverted to the training budget. In addition, it is crucial to assess training needs and determine the training program's ability to meet those needs. Illustration