NCJ Number
139632
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 40 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1992) Pages: 59-62
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Recent civil violence in California and Connecticut has highlighted the importance of police officer sensitivity training.
Abstract
Sensitivity training is not always available due to budget restrictions, lack of qualified trainers, or personnel shortages. Nonetheless, recent media focus on negative police contacts has increased awareness of the need for police sensitivity training. In Rapid City, South Dakota, the police department serves a significant number of Native Americans. Police sensitivity to minority issues has been encouraged by hiring minority police officers and through frank discussions between minority and white police officers. Regardless of the measures used, more police departments seem to be initiating sensitivity training programs of some sort, and many police administrators report that their sensitivity training efforts are successful. Surveys indicate that cost, inadequate time, and lack of qualified trainers are major factors in implementing sensitivity training. In addition, questions prevail about the effectiveness of sensitivity training in changing attitudes and who should receive such training.