NCJ Number
51727
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 215-247
Date Published
1978
Length
33 pages
Annotation
THE NEED FOR POLICE INTERVENTION IN DOMESTIC CONFLICTS, WHO SHOULD BE TRAINED, TYPES AND METHODS OF TRAINING, DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSE POLICY, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
INTERVENTION BY POLICE IN DOMESTIC CONFLICTS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE AS A SOCIAL CONTROL AND CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUE FOR DETERRING THE HOMICIDES AND ASSAULTS THAT FREQUENTLY STEM FROM DOMESTIC DISPUTES. THE NEED FOR OFFICER SAFETY, PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE, ROLE CLARITY, AND EFFECTIVE DISPUTE MANAGEMENT ARE REASONS FOR TRAINING OFFICERS IN DOMESTIC CONFLICT INTERVENTION. THREE MODELS FOR OFFICER SELECTION ARE DESCRIBED: (1) THE GENERALIST-SPECIALIST MODEL WHICH TRAINS A SELECTED GROUP OF GENERAL PATROL OFFICERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DOMESTIC CONFLICT; (2) THE GENERALIST MODEL WHICH TRAINS ALL PATROL OFFICERS IN DOMESTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION; AND (3) THE SPECIALIST MODEL WHICH ASSIGNS EXCLUSIVE SPECIALIZATION FOR DISPUTE INTERVENTION TO A SMALL GROUP OF SELECTED OFFICERS WITH NO GENERAL PATROL DUTIES. THE GENERALIST MODEL WAS USED MOST FREQUENTLY. CIVILIANS TRAINED IN SOCIOLOGY AND THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AND DEPARTMENTAL PERSONNEL SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED IN DOMESTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION PROVIDE TRAINING FOR THE OFFICERS SELECTED. THE CONTENT OF TRAINING GENERALLY INCLUDES THE NEGOTIATION AND COUNSELING APPROACH TO RESOLVING THE IMMEDIATE DOMESTIC CRISIS, WITH GUIDANCE TO OFFICERS ON REFERRAL PROCEDURES ALSO PROVIDED. ROLE PLAYING, SIMULATIONS OF ACTUAL CONFLICTS, AND MOVIES ARE RECOMMENDED AS THE BEST METHODS OF TEACHING, ALONG WITH OBSERVATION OF ACTUAL INTERVENTIONS AND CLOSELY SUPERVISED PARTICIPATION IN INTERVENTION. BEHAVIORAL CRITERIA ARE IMPORTANT IN PROVIDING A STRUCTURE FOR EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK ON OFFICER PERFORMANCE. TOTAL DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT FOR THE INTERVENTION PROGRAM, THE HANDLING OF REQUESTS FOR INTERVENTION, AND THE PROVISION OF DEPARTMENTAL REWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE OF PERFORMANCE IN DOMESTIC INTERVENTION ARE DISCUSSED AS IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE OPERATION OF EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS. REFERENCES ARE LISTED, AND AN APPENDIX PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF TRAINING INFORMATION DERIVED FROM A SURVERY OF NORTH AMERICAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS REGARDING THEIR APPROACH TO DOMESTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION. SEE NCJ-51726 FOR PART II OF THIS REVIEW. (RCB)