RECRUIT TRAINING - SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE

• NCJ Number: 55993
• Journal: Australian Police Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 3-17
• Author(s): J H LOCKHEAD
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Police Journal
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLICE ACADEMY IN PREPARING AND TRAINING POLICE RECRUITS FOR THEIR FIRST 12 MONTHS OF ACTIVE SERVICE AS PATROL MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE IS EXPLORED.

Abstract

THE RECRUIT TRAINING PROGRAM OPERATED BETWEEN 1972 AND 1976. IN 1976, THE RESTRUCTURED PROGRAM WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE TO THE POLICE ACADEMY. THE POLICE ACADEMY, BASED ON EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND MORAL STANDARDS, RECRUITS PRIMARILY JUVENILES LEAVING SCHOOL BETWEEN 17 AND 18 YEARS OF AGE. ALL POLICE CADETS INDUCTED INTO THE POLICE FORCE PARTICIPATE IN A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT COVERS A 2-YEAR PERIOD. THE AIM OF BASIC TRAINING IS TO PREPARE TRAINEES MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY TO EFFECTIVELY FULFILL THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY AS PATROL MEMBERS. THERE ARE FIVE PHASES IN BASIC TRAINING: (1) 26-WEEK PERIOD THAT PROVIDES FOR 121 DAILY UNITS OF INSTRUCTION; (2) 13-WEEK PERIOD THAT INVOLVES POSTINGS TO SELECTED COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES, POLICE OPERATIONS AND/OR SUPPORT SERVICES, DRIVER TRAINING, AND THE TAKING OF ANY ACCRUED RECREATIONAL LEAVE; (3) 26-WEEK PERIOD THAT PROVIDES FOR 121 DAILY UNITS OF INSTRUCTION; (4) 26-WEEK PERIOD THAT INVOLVES VARIOUS OPERATIONAL POSTINGS, ADVANCED DRIVER TRAINING, AND THE TAKING OF ANY ACCRUED RECREATIONAL LEAVE; AND (5) 13-WEEK PERIOD THAT PROVIDES FOR 65 DAILY UNITS OF INSTRUCTION IN THE APPLICATION OF POLICE SKILLS. THE ENTIRE TRAINING PROGRAM IS FOUNDED UPON THE SYSTEMS APPROACH, AND ALL SUBJECT MATERIAL IS DOCUMENTED IN THE FORM OF PRECISE TRAINING OBJECTIVES. AFTER GRADUATION, TRAINEES ARE POSTED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 26-WEEK PERIOD OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING BEFORE BECOMING PERMANENTLY APPOINTED TO THE RANK OF CONSTABLE ON THE POLICE FORCE. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON ACCURATELY ASSESSING TRAINEES; THIS IS AN ONGOING PROCESS FROM THE TIME OF INDUCTION TO PERMANENT APPOINTMENT. SPECIFIC ELEMENTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM ARE DETAILED WITH RESPECT TO THE FIVE PHASES OF TRAINING. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE TRAINING PROCESS AND THE POLICE ACADEMY ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)