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New Training for Spotters: Development of International Training Standards

NCJ Number
242589
Journal
.Siak - International Edition: Journal for Police Science and Practice Volume: 3 Dated: 2013 Pages: 31-41
Author(s)
Ireen Christine Winter; Bernhard Jager; Pamela Geissler
Date Published
2013
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the working enviroment of spotters.
Abstract
Spotters are regularly used at football and ice hockey matches and play an important role in the operational tactics of the police. Austrian spotters work in close proximity to fan scenes and enter into open dialogue with supporters before, during, and after large sporting events to prevent security-related incidents involving problem fans. However, until now there has been a lack of national training programs and uniform training guidelines for spotters. For that reason, in the present comparative study, a comprehensive analysis of the current situation in Austria and in five other European countries has been carried out, and professional training and further training standards for spotters have been drawn up in an European Best Practice Manual, which is expected to be used as the model for developing Austrian training for spotters in 2013. (Published Abstract)