NCJ Number
174627
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 61 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1997 Pages: 26-32
Date Published
1997
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines the development of national officer safety training in the Federal probation and pretrial services system.
Abstract
The article describes the efforts of the Administrative Office of the US Courts and the Federal Judicial Center to train US probation and pretrial services officers to carry out their duties safely. It explains how officer safety training evolved from virtually nothing before the late 1970s into a comprehensive range of training programs and resources. Firearms instructors are trained with some of the most modern training equipment and concepts and officers have access to a comprehensive pepper-spray training manual and videotapes. The training program is scenario-based, allowing officers to make use-of-force decisions in a realistic but safe environment. The Center media library has an extensive collection of officer safety videotapes, including many crisis intervention tapes. The program has received a high level of commitment from officers, supervisors and chiefs. This commitment must continue and evolve along with other aspects of the job such as automation, team-based management and styles of supervision. References