NCJ Number
44616
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 421-429
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE COLUMBUS, GA., FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE COMMUNITY-RELATED GOALS OF THE PROGRAM WERE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RECALLS IN DOMESTIC CONFLICTS, TO INCREASE BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AND HOMICIDES, TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INJURIES TO POLICE AND CITIZENS, AND TO ADVANCE THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY. INTERDEPARTMENTAL GOALS INCLUDED INCREASING OFFICERS' REPERTOIRE OF RESPONSES IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, EFFECTING ATTITUDINAL CHANGES, INCREASING SENSITIVITY TO AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ELEMENTS IN FAMILY CONFLICT, ENHANCING OFFICERS' APPLICATION OF ACQUIRED SKILLS, INCREASING MULTICULTURAL AWARENESS, AND INCREASING OFFICERS' UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR OWN FEELINGS. FOLLOWING A PILOT PROGRAM, ALL OFFICERS WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE PART IN AT LEAST 64 HOURS OF TRAINING IN DOMESTIC CONFLICT INTERVENTION. THE TRAINING CURRICULUM DEALT WITH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, INTERVENTION STYLES, STRESS AND EMOTIONS IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT, FACT-FINDING SKILLS IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT, BEHAVIORAL SCREENING, NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION, FIELDWORK, AND MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY ISSUES. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM WAS EVALUATED IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS, AND TRAINEE FEEDBACK. POSITIVE PROGRAM OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AMONG OFFICERS, AND INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS MADE TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES, AND POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC. THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED REQUESTS FROM OTHER AGENCIES TO DEMONSTRATE CRISIS INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES. SUPPORTING EVALUATIVE DATA ARE INCLUDED.