NCJ Number
102479
Date Published
1985
Length
87 pages
Annotation
An effective inservice training program for a police agency requires careful determination of the department's problems, whether training can solve them, the kind and amount of training needed, the costs, and the staff to be trained.
Abstract
Police personnel need inservice training to deal with changes in society, technology, and the law and to maintain skills developed during basic training. Every member of the agency should be involved in training. The chief police administrator has the overall responsibility for training, although others may carry out the training tasks. Identifying training needs starts with determining performance problems resulting from factors both outside and inside the agency. The three basic training methods used to obtain information about training needs are asking, observing, and studying. Interviews, questionnaires, and group meetings are all methods of asking. Staff and line inspections are the basic observation techniques. Records, reports, and pin maps are all sources for study. Extensive appendixes present interview guidelines and questions, questionnaires, checklists, guidelines for evaluating specific areas of police work, training rosters, job descriptions, and performance standards. 17 references.