ROLE PLAYING OFFERS A INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR PROVIDING OFFICERS WITH BEHAVIORAL TRAINING IN SIMULATED REAL-LIFE SETTINGS. (MORE EXPENSIVE APPROACHES INCLUDE THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FILMED DECISIONMAKING EPISODES AND THE LOS ANGELES, CALIF., POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING SET, WHICH INCLUDES ELECTRONICALLY ACTIVATED TARGETS IN A MOCK CITY.) DURING A 9-MONTH PERIOD IN 1975, THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE TRAINED APPROXIMATELY 400 OFFICERS BY ENGAGING THEM IN SIX ROLE-PLAY SITUATIONS: A MARITAL FIGHT; APPROACHING A 'DERELICT'; INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE HOLDUP OF A PHARMACY; INVESTIGATING A WAREHOUSE BURGLARY; AIDING A WOMAN IN DISTRESS; AND INVESTIGATING A REPORT OF A PROWLER IN A RAILROAD YARD. EACH GROUP OF TRAINEES IS EXPOSED TO THREE OR FOUR OF THE EPISODES. WHEN THE TRAINEES HAVE FINISHED THE SERIES OF EXERCISES, THEY RECEIVE A BRIEF LECTURE AND A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW EACH SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED COMPETENTLY. THE ENTIRE PROCEDURE USUALLY TAKES 2.5 HOURS FOR 35 OFFICERS. THE ROLE-PLAY PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITH LITTLE DIFFICULTY AND COST. ONE FACTOR IN THE LOW COST OF THE PROGRAM IS THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND DRAMA STUDENTS AS VOLUNTEER ASSISTANTS. THE EXERCISES HAVE ALSO BEEN USED FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES; E.G., ASSESSING DIFFERENCES IN OFFICERS' BEHAVIOR TOWARD MALES AND FEMALES. PARTICIPANT RESPONSE TO THE EXERCISES HAS BEEN FAVORABLE. A SIDE BENEFIT HAS BEEN THAT THE COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO ASSIST IN CONDUCTING THE EXERCISES HAVE ACQUIRED MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD POLICE. DETAILS OF EACH ROLE-PLAY SITUATION AND THE METHODS USED TO CONDUCT THE EXERCISES ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)