NCJ Number
45115
Date Published
1972
Length
0 pages
Annotation
TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO HANDLING A FAMILY DISTURBANCE POLICE CALL ARE TREATED IN THIS DOCUMENTARY FILM WHICH EXAMINES FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION PRACTICES AT THE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Abstract
THE FIRST CALL IS TYPICAL OF MOST DEPARTMENTAL SITUATIONS, IN THAT IT IS SHORT AND TO THE POINT: THE OFFICERS RESPONDING FIND A CASE OF ALLEGED WIFE-BATTERING, RECOMMEND THAT THE COUPLE SEEK COUNSELING, AND PERFORM NO FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATION. THE SECOND, ADMITTEDLY EXPERIMENTAL, CALL IS MORE ORIENTED TO PROBLEMSOLVING. OVER A 2-HOUR PERIOD THE TWO OFFICERS TRY TO GET AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE AND WORK ON THE ALCOHOLIC HUSBAND'S FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS THROUGH ON-THE-SPOT REFERRALS TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND OTHER TECHNIQUES. FOLLOWUP CALLS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO INSURE THAT THE HUSBAND HONORS HIS PROMISE TO STOP DRINKING AND TO HELP HIM REOBTAIN HIS SUSPENDED DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK. NO STAND IS TAKEN ON THE 'RIGHT' OR 'WRONG' APPROACH; OFFICERS ARE SEEN IN DEBRIEFING SESSIONS LISTENING TO TAPES MADE AT THE SCENE AND DISCUSSING THE RELATIVE MERITS OF EACH METHOD. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).