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Improving Police Performance

NCJ Number
76423
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1981) Pages: 24-27
Author(s)
H J Banks
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The training and evaluation program for probationary police officers in New York City is presented and discussed.
Abstract
A logical way to motivate and improve police performance is through an evaluation process which assesses the employee's performance in language which deals strictly in terms of performance and leadership qualities. The New York City Police Department's field training and evaluation program includes a daily evaluation worksheet used by the trainers to evaluate and record performance data. Task categories are rated from 1 to 5 (unacceptable to fine). The worksheets are used as a focal point of discussions between the trainers and the probationary officers. The first formal evaluation attempts to measure and record how well the officer's classroom responsibilities are assimilated to cope with street situations. The official evaluation form rates six categories: appearance, communication skills, job knowledge, general performance, human relations and skills, and ethics. Each category has independent statements geared to assessing leadership traits and performance. Because leadership is so important a part of police life and work, the evaluation process on the 14 basic leadership traits used in military training programs. These are bearing, courage, decisiveness, dependability, endurance, enthusiasm, initiative, integrity, judgment, justice, knowledge, loyalty, tact, and unselfishness.

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