NCJ Number
80016
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 36 Issue: 347 Dated: (April 1981) Pages: 110-114
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the use of psychology in training police at the Police Institute in Quebec, Canada; the program is already yielding positive results.
Abstract
Psychology is applied to the field of police operations and human relations. Human relations is at the core of all police work, including the gathering and providing of information, crime prevention, surveillance, inspection, support action, and law enforcement. Police officers are expected to act with firmness, skill, understanding, and confidence. Accordingly, they should know themselves well, be conscious of their tendencies and attitudes, modify or adjust some of their behavior patterns and attitudes, and acquire enough knowledge of human beings to better understand others and their behavior and better anticipate their reactions. Psychology is used for self and mutual evaluation; for instruction in the nature, causes, and effects of stress, as well as a means to handle stress; and for improvement of police officers' perception of their role. In addition, the training uses psychology to teach recruits about proper interview techniques, crowd control methods, and crisis control techniques. Role playing is used to help recruits experience particular incidents they might encounter, and psychological insights are presented about the relationship among police officers and delinquents, gang members, suicidal persons, drug addicts, and others. Two footnotes are included.