NCJ Number
214204
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 58-76
Date Published
2006
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study explored the implementation early intervention programs (EIPs); the characteristics of the officers identified for the program, and provided an evaluation of the EIP.
Abstract
The use of an early intervention program (EIP), sometimes called Early Warning Programs, are seen as an important step in the enhancement of the professionalization of police departments. In adopting EIPs, law enforcement agencies are demonstrating a proactive stance in the oversight of their employees. With the popularity of this important tool growing, it is important for research to be conducted to assist agencies in the implementation of their system. This study explored one agency’s experience with an EIP. The agency was a large municipal police department in the Southeastern United States that provided data from the year 2000. The questions addressed included: (1) what are the characteristics of the officers who qualified for the EIP; (2) what criteria were used to identify the EIP officers; (3) how did the EIP officers compare with the non-EIP officers; and (4) should the EIP criteria be adjusted to account for officer activity? In establishing an EIP, law enforcement agencies are seen as proactive in trying to identify officers who are exhibiting problematic behaviors before their actions elevate to an acute level. With over 1,000 sworn officers and an additional 300 civilian employees within the agency, the agency provided demographic information on the sworn personnel, including gender, race, date of birth, and year of hire, as well as other performance indicators such as number of arrests, number of reports, and the amount of time overtime/extra duty hours worked. References