NCJ Number
59608
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 36-37
Date Published
1979
Length
2 pages
Annotation
POLICE OFFICERS IN RURAL AREAS MUST NOT ONLY SERVE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, BUT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR TROUBLED CITIZENS.
Abstract
RURAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY LEAA IN THE PROVISION OF INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OFFICERS. TRAINING PROGRAMS HAVE INCLUDED FIREARMS TRAINING, HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION. THE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THAT OFFICER ASSISTANCE IN FAMILY AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS UNRELATED TO CRIME OCCUPIES A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OFFICERS' TIME. RURAL PEACE OFFICERS ARE NOT SOCIAL WORKERS, BUT THEY FREQUENTLY ARE THE ONLY AUTHORITY AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS. THEY REQUIRE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PEER REINFORCEMENT IF THEY ARE TO FULFILL THE EXPECTATIONS OF COMMUNITY. AS COUNSELOR AND ADVISOR, THE RURAL OFFICER MUST BE PREPARED TO HANDLE THE IMMEDIATE NECESSITIES OF DEPRESSED OR SUICIDAL PERSONS, DRUG ABUSERS, MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS, AND JUVENILES. WHEN SOCIAL SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THE OFFICERS MUST DEAL DIRECTLY WITH CRISIS REDUCTION, PROVIDING SUPPORT, UNDERSTANDING, AND CONTROL IN SITUATIONS WHICH DO NOT WARRANT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. AS A REFERRAL AGENT FOR WELFARE AND MEDICAL AUTHORITIES, THE OFFICERS SHOULD TRANSMIT THEIR PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF TROUBLED MARRIAGES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSERS TO PROPER SOCIAL SERVICE PERSONNEL. TO ENHANCE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE OFFICERS AND HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, THE SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION ARRANGED A MEETING BETWEEN ITS OFFICERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL TO LEARN ABOUT SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.