NCJ Number
56052
Journal
MEDICO-LEGAL JOURNAL Volume: 45 Dated: PART 1 (1977) Pages: 4-18
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, NEW SCOTLAND YARD, DISCUSSES THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF BRITISH POLICE IN A SPEECH PRESENTED BEFORE THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY.
Abstract
THREE PROBLEMS IN SELECTING POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOTED: (1) IT IS DIFFICULT TO GAUGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTION PROCEDURES, BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEVER KNOWS WHETHER THE APPLICANTS IT REJECTS WOULD HAVE MADE GOOD OFFICERS; (2) MANY POLICE OFFICERS ARE NEEDED, AND STANDARDS OF SELECTION ARE DICTATED MORE BY WHO IS AVAILABLE TO DO THE JOB THAN BY THE ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB; AND (3) THE SINGLE-TIER ENTRY SYSTEM IMPORTANT AND PECULIAR TO THE POLICE SERVICE UNDOUBTEDLY DISCOURAGES MANY PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOOD OFFICERS BUT WHO DID NOT WANT TO START OUT AT THE CONSTABLE (PATROL OFFICER) LEVEL. THE MANNER IN WHICH SCOTLAND YARD SCREENS APPLICANTS AND OFFICERS ON PROBATIONARY STATUS IS DESCRIBED BRIEFLY. THREE AREAS IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS REQUIRE TRAINING--CRIMINAL LAW AND POLICE PROCEDURE, ATTITUDE, AND SPECIAL SKILLS--ARE DISCUSSED. ANECDOTES, MANY HUMOROUS, ILLUSTRATE THE DIVERSITY AND COMPLEXITY OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S JOB AND THE KIND OF TRAINING REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE JOB EFFECTIVELY. SCOTLAND YARD'S USE OF SHORT, INTENSIVE COURSES, MOCK COURTROOMS, AND AUDIOVISUAL AIDS IS NOTED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT, IN DEALING WITH THE BRITISH PUBLIC, POLICE OFFICERS FIND THAT IT IS NOT SO MUCH WHAT THEY DO AS HOW THEY DO IT THAT IS IMPORTANT. VIDEOTAPED REPLAYS THAT GIVE RECRUITS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW THEY LOOK AND TO HEAR HOW THEY SOUND IN HANDLING INCIDENTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF TRAINING. A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION THAT FOLLOWED THE PRESENTATION, INCLUDING AN EXCHANGE ON THE MERITS OF POLICE INVESTIGATORS AS PROSECUTORS, IS DOCUMENTED. (LKM)