NCJ Number
86500
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1982) Pages: 297-301
Date Published
1982
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of the effects of the spouses' training program of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department concludes that such a program is beneficial and has positive effects for police couples.
Abstract
The spouses' training program of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department consists of eight sessions, with meetings once a week. Officer spouses are given an overall view of the department's operations and the duties to which their officer spouses may be assigned. Particular stresses of the job are explored. The training also focuses on interpersonal difficulties couples may experience, and the responsibilities of each partner in the relationship are emphasized. Causes and possible solutions for problems often found in police marriages are discussed. The evaluation of the effects of the program involved surveys of participants in the program and a control group a few years after completion of the program. The control group was possible because participation in the training program was voluntary. The majority of officers and their spouses felt the spouses' program to be beneficial, as they perceived the course to offer enrichment for the spouses, help for their marriages, or both. Program participation did not impact the divorce rate of participants. This may have been too great an expectation of the program; however, participants generally believed the sessions improved their marital relationship. The questionnaire and tabular data are included, and 10 references are listed.