NCJ Number
177357
Date Published
1997
Length
63 pages
Annotation
This project explored decision making by police sergeants and inspectors in Scotland during emergency situations to identify actual decisionmaking processes and to make training recommendations to improve the quality of police decisionmaking.
Abstract
The sample included 42 sergeants and 46 inspectors attending courses at the Scottish Police College, and a group of probationary constables was interviewed for comparison purposes. Data were obtained through attitude questionnaires and interviews, based on a domestic incident scenario used to examine decision making skills. Participants were asked to indicate agreement or disagreement with 23 statements in the questionnaire, while information from interviews was analyzed in terms of reasoning, actions, and experience. Although all participants had the same priorities, methods of achieving these priorities differed by individual. For sergeants, firearms training provided structure to tactics, situation assessment differed, increasing the complexity of the incident affected the reasoning process, and the interpretation of information depended on previous experience. For inspectors, decisions were based on experience with similar incidents successfully handled in the past, firearms tactics provided a structured approach to incident command applicable in any given situation, general policing procedures were useful, and situation assessment depended on past experience. For the control sample of probationers, results showed greater focus on specific details and the ability to use general strategies learned on the street. Implications of the findings and related challenges for police training in decisionmaking skills are discussed. Recommendations to improve training programs for police decision makers are offered. Appendixes contain the questionnaire, the scenario script, and letters to participants. 23 references and 11 figures