NCJ Number
55465
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND AN 'AROUND THE CLOCK' FAMILY CONSULTANT SERVICE HAVE BEEN USED BY THE LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA, POLICE FORCE TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE SERVICE FOR DOMESTIC DISPUTES AND REDUCE REPEATED CALLS.
Abstract
IN 1972 THE DOUBLE-PRONGED PROGRAM BEGAN TO TRAIN PATROL OFFICERS TO DEAL WITH FAMILY CONFLICTS, MOST OF WHICH ERUPT AFTER 8 P.M. OR ON WEEKENDS WHEN REGULAR SOCIAL AGENCIES ARE CLOSED. A PARTIAL EVALUATION OF THE PATROL OFFICER TRAINING FOUND THAT TRAINED OFFICERS MADE REFERRALS TO 37.5 PERCENT OF THE 40 AVAILABLE AGENCIES WITHIN THE CITY WHILE UNTRAINED OFFICERS MADE REFERRALS TO LESS THAN 18 PERCENT. TRAINED OFFICERS ALSO WERE PERCEIVED BY THE FAMILIES AS MORE CONCERNED AND HELPFUL. THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT PER CALL DID NOT CHANGE, SHOWING THAT TRAINING MEANT INCREASED EFFECTIVENESS WITHOUT DECREASED EFFICIENCY. THE FAMILY CONSULTANT SERVICE WAS FORMED TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE OF A PROFESSIONAL NATURE 24 HOURS A DAY. POLICE CALLED FAMILY CONSULTANTS IN 88 PERCENT OF THE CASES, AND A CONSULTANT USUALLY ARRIVED IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. AFTER THE CONSULTANT WAS ON THE SCENE THE OFFICER WAS FREE TO LEAVE UNLESS THERE WAS THREAT OF FURTHER VIOLENCE. IN 1976 THE CONSULTANTS INTERVENED IN 1,418 CASES INVOLVING 1,096 FAMILES, OF WHICH 80 PERCENT WERE NEW CASES. THE REST HAD BEEN SEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE CONSULTANTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO GET THE CLIENT TO KEEP AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY AND WERE QUITE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING CALLS TO THE POLICE. BOTH POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES VIEWED THE CONSULTANTS AS COOPERATIVE, COMPETENT, AND HAVING A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICES ROLES (THE CONSULTANTS RECEIVED SCORES OF 94 TO 99 PERCENT ON AN EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE). THE NATURE AND DISPOSITION OF THE CALLS HANDLED ARE REPORTED. THE PROGRAM IS JUDGED TO BE EFFECTIVE. (GLR)