NCJ Number
67834
Date Published
1977
Length
312 pages
Annotation
INTENDED FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND AS A REFERENCE FOR ADMINISTRATORS, THIS BOOK DISCUSSES THE POLICE PERSONNEL SELECTION PROCESS, INCLUDING EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY GUIDELINES.
Abstract
POLICE SERVICES OFTEN COMPOSE AS MUCH AS 30 PERCENT OR MORE OF A TYPICAL MUNICIPAL OR COUNTY BUDGET, AND PERSONNEL COSTS CONSUME AT LEAST 80 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL APPROPRIATION. YET FEW POLICE AGENCIES EMPHASIZE THE APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR HUMAN RESOURCES. THE BOOK PROVIDES DETAILED BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE FUNCTIONS OF A POLICE PERSONNEL UNIT, EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS, THE DECISION TO HIRE, THE PERSONNEL INVESTIGATOR'S ROLE, AND PROCESSING POLICE APPLICATIONS. IT DISCUSSES THE EVOLUTION OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND THE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN SUCH AREAS AS HEIGHT AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT. DETAILED DISCUSSIONS ARE GIVEN ON THE WRITTEN ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS, MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL STANDARDS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT. THE ROLE OF POLYGRAPHS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATORS ARE DISCUSSED, AND A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER INVESTIGATION AND ORAL INTERVIEW IS PROVIDED. THE TEXT FOCUSES ON THE STRUCTURE AND VALUE OF FIELD WORK IN RECRUIT TRAINING AND THE EVALUATION OF PROBATIONARY OFFICERS. DISCUSSION ALSO CONCENTRATES ON THE INCREASING REGULATORY COMPLEXITY, POLICE SPECIALIZATION AND TRAINING, AND LITIGATION ON DISCRIMINATORY HIRING PRACTICES FACING POLICE AS WELL AS FURTHER PRESSURES FOR CHANGE IN THE OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF POLICE AGENCIES. FINALLY, SELECTED STANDARDS FROM THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION'S REPORT ON POLICE ARE OUTLINED AND APPENDIXES PROVIDE MATERIALS USED IN POLICE PERSONNEL SELECTION. NOTES AND TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH CHAPTER, AND BIBLIOGRAPHIES WITH FROM 16 TO OVER 100 ENTRIES FOLLOW FOUR OF THE CHAPTERS.