NCJ Number
78728
Journal
Police Science Abstracts Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (May/June 1981) Pages: 1-4
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The rationale and content of recommendations for changes in the system for training lower level police officers in the Netherlands are presented, together with a brief summary of the existing training system.
Abstract
The training of upper level police officers currently takes 4 years, while the basic training of lower level officers takes 1 year. After completion of basic training, officers can attend special courses at the traffic school, the detective school, and other schools. Due to repeated requests by Parliament to extend basic training, a steering committee and three working parties were appointed by the Ministers of the Interior and Justice to recommend changes in the training system for lower level officers. A major change suggested by the steering committee is the extension of the training period to 19 months, which would include 11 months of primary training, 5 months of practical training, and 3 months of further training. It is also recommended that the structure of the curriculum ensure the integration of professional technical knowledge, education, and skills. This integration requires careful refresher courses and further training of instructors. Moreover, practical training periods should be completed in forces of a certain minimum size and with a regional function and in which enough well-trained mentors and assistant mentors are available. Other recommendations are that the residential experience make an essential contribution to the officer's education, that the minimum age of admission be raised to 19 years and the maximum age be abolished, and that the new training program begin on April 1, 1982. No references are cited.