Law Enforcement Standards and Training Councils - A Human Resource Planning Force in the Future

• NCJ Number: 97258
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 1-9
• Author(s): K E Christian; S M Edwards
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the historical development of statewide (manpower) planning units for law enforcement, i.e., peace officer standards and training councils (POST's); the current role and perceptions of POST's; and the potential roles POST's may play, particularly as they affect law enforcement and criminal justice.

Abstract

Findings of a nationwide survey that examined the feasibility of comprehensive criminal justice manpower planning provide the basis for the discussion. Data were obtained from questionnaires sent to a national sample of 125 State juvenile and local adult probation agencies, 250 of the Nation's largest police agencies, the 50 State departments of corrections, the 50 State criminal justice planning agencies, and the 46 POST's. Additionally, 115 interviews were conducted with criminal justice practitioners in 8 States. The review of historical development highlights several significant events leading to the creation in 1959 of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), followed by the formation of POST's in other States. Since 1973 POST's have expanded their role beyond that of training. This has occurred partly because of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines (EEOC), 1976. The majority of survey respondents reported that their manpower planning activities are generally limited to training needs assessment and job analysis. A management planning technique like job analysis can influence policy and affect law enforcement and criminal justice education programs, as indicated by Michigan's and Minnesota's use of job analysis data to set minimum employment, education, and training standards. The review indicates a present lack of agreement and cooperation among EEOC guidelines, POST councils, and law enforcement and criminal justice educators, as well as a failure to integrate manpower planning in law enforcement. Tabular data and 21 references are provided.