NCJ Number
103734
Date Published
1985
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This paper analyzes the current assumptions of Australia's preservice and inservice police curricula and recommends a strategy for curricula development that will increase performance effectiveness and its valid measurement.
Abstract
Although law enforcement activities occupy only 20 percent of police operational time, the police organizational structure (quasi-military) and training curricula reflect a dominant law enforcement model. In practice, the police spend most of their time performing order maintenance functions, which involve coping with interpersonal conflicts and social problems that require other than an arrest response. Police performance measurements also reflect the law enforcement model, as they consist of such easily quantifiable criteria as arrests, traffic stops, tickets issued, and clearance rates. The order maintenance model requires the development of an officer who has the skills, knowledge, and attributes required to manage diverse and unpredictable situations in a manner that serves organizational order maintenance and law enforcement goals. Educational requirements, which impart knowledge and insights required for appropriate decisionmaking, and training requirements, which develop the skills required to perform needed operations, should prepare officers to perform effectively the full spectrum of police operations. Performance measurements should be developed accordingly. 89 notes.