NCJ Number
65568
Journal
ALGEMEEN POLITIEBLAD Volume: 127 Issue: 3 Dated: (FEBRUARY 4, 1978) Pages: 66-71
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A TECHNIQUE FOR HANDLING FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION AND METHODS FOR TRAINING POLICE FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE THIRD ARTICLE OF A THREE PART SERIES.
Abstract
THE 19-STEP INTERVENTION TECHNIQUE WAS DEVELOPED IN A NEW YORK EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT. THE TECHNIQUE CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE ANTAGONISTS CAN TALK, THEN ALLOWS THEM TO LET OFF STEAM BY TELLING AND RETELLING WHAT HAPPENED. THE INTERVENING OFFICERS MUST LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY, ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE DISAGREEMENT, AND BRING BOTH PARTIES TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS OF THE OTHER. THE DISPUTING PARTIES MUST ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND TO MAKE PLANS THEMSELVES, WITH THE POLICE INTERVENTION TEAM JUDGING THE FAIRNESS OF THEIR PROPOSALS. IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT, THE INTERVENING OFFICERS SHOULD REFER THEM TO AN AGENCY WHICH CAN PROVIDE HELP SO THAT THE FRUSTRATIONS OF THE DISPUTANTS ARE NOT INCREASED STILL FURTHER. CRISIS INTERVENTION UNITS USE SPECIAL TOOLS FOR THEIR WORK. THESE INCLUDE A PORTABLE CARD FILE FOR THE POLICE CAR CONTAINING USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT PROBLEM FAMILIES LISTED BY STREET AND HOUSENUMBER, A LIST OF ALL AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE AGENCIES, REFERRAL FORMS TO BE FILLED OUT FOR THE FAMILY IN CRISIS, ANSWER CARDS TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE REFERRAL AGENCY AND RETURNED TO THE POLICE. ASSISTANCE REPORTS WITH DETAILS ABOUT THE FAMILY ARE COMPLETED BY THE INTERVENTION TEAM, AND SOME CASES REQUIRE SURVEY FORMS FOR BOTH THE INTERVENTION TEAM AND THE FAMILY IN CRISIS. AMONG THE TECHNIQUES USEFUL FOR TRAINING POLICE FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS ARE VIDEOTAPES OF ROLE PLAYING AND TRAINEE EXERCISES SIMULATING THE FEELINGS OF INDIVIDUALS IN CRISES. ALTHOUGH CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS SHOULD BE TRAINED PRIMARILY IN PRACTICAL INTERVENTION APPROACHES, THEY SHOULD ALSO BE TAUGHT THE BASICS OF CRISIS INTERVENTION THEORY BY COMPETENT EXPERTS, PREFERABLY IN THE PSYCHIATRIC WARD OF A HOSPITAL. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERVENTION PROGRAM IS ENHANCED BY POLICE COOPERATION WITH CRISIS CENTERS AND OTHER SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS AND BY SUPPORT FROM HIGH LEVELS OF POLICE COMMAND. ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL UNITS IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF PERSONNEL TURNOVER, RESISTANCE TO CHANGE, VARIATIONS IN THE SIZE OF POLICE FORCES, AND LIMITED FUNDS. HOWEVER, IT IS STRESSED THAT THE DUTCH POLICE MUST DEVELOP SOCIAL SERVICE SKILLS DESPITE SUCH OBSTACLES. NOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE SUPPLIED. FOR PARTS 1 AND 2 OF THE ARTICLE, SEE NCJ 65566-67.