NCJ Number
45755
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT TO PROVIDE ADVANCED TRAINING TO STATE AND MUNICIPAL POLICE INSTATE RATHER THAN SENDING OFFICERS TO OUT-OF-STATE SEMINARS AND PROGRAMS IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
IN THE PAST, DELAWARE MET POLICE NEEDS FOR ADVANCED TRAINING BY SENDING OFFICERS OUT OF THE STATE, WHICH WAS EXPENSIVE. ALSO, SMALLER DEPARTMENTS OFTEN DID NOT HAVE THE MANPOWER TO PERMIT PERSONNEL TO LEAVE EVEN FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. IN 1976 AN INITIAL GRANT OF 18,888 WAS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOR INSTATE TRAINING AND IN 1977 A CONTINUATION GRANT FOR 22,222 WAS AWARDED. BEFORE THE PROJECT BEGAN QUESTIONNAIRES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 40 POLICE DEPARTMENTS, 15 OF WHICH WERE RETURNED. ALL MAJOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED. THEY SUGGESTED 11 TOPICS RANGING FROM CRISIS INTERVENTION AND CRIMINALISTICS TO CRIMINAL LAW, SUPERVISION, AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES. TO DATE 10 SEMINARS HAVE BEEN GIVEN WITH 2 MORE PLANNED FOR 1978 MEETING ALL REQUESTED TOPICS. THESE SEMINARS WERE ATTENDED BY THE FOLLOWING NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: CRISIS INTERVENTION, 44; CRIMINALISTICS, 58; FELONIES, 35; ARMED ROBBERY, 56; HOMICIDE, 35; CRIMINAL LAW, 49; BASIC CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, 26; HOMICIDE AND RAPE, 35; COMTEMPORARY PROBLEMS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, 66; AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, 56. SUPERVISION AND CRIME-PREVENTION SEMINARS ARE SCHEDULED. UNDER THIS PROGRAM 460 PERSONS WERE PROVIDED WITH 41 DAYS OF TRAINING AT A PER-PERSON COST OF $41.89, FAR CHEAPER THAN OUT-OF-STATE SEMINARS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO REACHED MANY MEMBERS OF SMALL DEPARTMENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE RECEIVED SUCH TRAINING. VIDEOTAPING EQUIPMENT COSTING $8,200 WAS PURCHASED SO THAT THE SESSIONS CAN BE REPEATED EVEN WHEN THE EXPERTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE PROJECT ALSO SHOWED THAT THE STATE HAS NUMEROUS EXPERTS WITHIN ITS OWN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THUS, TRAINING WAS POSSIBLE WITHOUT EXPENSIVE OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS. A FINAL INTANGIBLE BENEFIT WAS THAT MEMBERS OF VARIOUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS MET ONE ANOTHER. AMONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THE FOLLOWING: THAT ALL FUTURE SESSIONS BE EVALUATED ON A STANDARD FORM, THAT THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION SHOULD ENCOURAGE IN-STATE TRAINING WHICH USES STATE AGENCY EXPERTISE; AND THAT THE STATE POLICE BE GIVEN A CIVILIAN STAFF PERSON TO ASSIST IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. (GLR)