NCJ Number
95197
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 53 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1984) Pages: 6-15
Date Published
1984
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Findings from a 1983 survey of State and local law enforcement agencies about their field operations training needs showed that handling personal stress was given high priority, and budgetary constraints were an underlying obstacle to providing training for many agencies.
Abstract
Questionnaries were mailed in February 1983 to over 16,000 State and local law enforcement agencies that participate in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Of these agencies, 7,294 provided 8,400 usable responses. The highest rate of response came from the largest agencies, while the lowest came from those with only one to four sworn officers. Training in handling personal stress was given the highest priority by all types of agencies, followed by detective/ juvenile/vice, patrol, intelligence, drug, and traffic. The study identified four groups of agencies as having distinct training needs: (1) agencies with 500 or more sworn personnel, except State police/highway patrol agencies; (2) agencies with fewer than 500 sworn personnel, except State police/highway patrol agencies and sheriffs' departments; (3) sheriffs' departments with fewer than 500 sworn sheriffs' departments with fewer than 500 sworn personnel; and (4) State police/highway patrol agencies. These findings should help design curricula tailored to the needs of each group, increasing the efficiency of resource use. An analysis of comment forms returned by 7.3 percent of the respondents showed that many agencies did not have the necessary funds for training, lacked time for training, and did not have the necessary equipment to carry out effective operations. Some agencies indicated they needed assistance to control drug and narcotics trafficking. Some aspects of supervision were also important training areas. Tables, graphs, and footnotes are supplied.