NCJ Number
57343
Date Published
1978
Length
69 pages
Annotation
A PRODUCT OF A STUDY BY THE TEXAS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS, THIS REPORT COMMENTS ON EXISTING STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND SUGGESTS MINIMUM STANDARDS.
Abstract
THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOCUS ON THESE AREAS: TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND DECERTIFICATION; CIVIL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS; PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING; AND USE OF WRITTEN RULES OF PROCEDURE. IN TEXAS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AT LEAST 240 HOURS OF BASIC TRAINING, BUT ARE LIKELY TO HAVE VARYING AMOUNTS OF INSERVICE TRAINING. THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS AND EDUCATION (TCLEOSE) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH CERTIFICATION AND DECERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS. OFFICERS ARE SUBJECT TO LOCAL SERVICE COMMISSION RULES FOR CLASSIFICATION, EXAMINATION, PROBATION, AND PROMOTION, BUT MANY ACTIONS OF A PEACE OFFICER ARE OF A DISCRETIONARY NATURE AND AGENCIES HAVE SEVERAL OPTIONS IN HANDLING OFFICER'S USE OF DISCRETION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TEXAS POLICE OFFICERS UNDERGO A 320-HOUR BASIC TRAINING COURSE AS RECRUITS; LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USE LOCAL RESOURCES FOR MANAGERIAL TRAINING; SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES BE REQUIRED TO MEET THE MINIMUM TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY TCLEOSE; TIME SPENT IN BASIC TRAINING BE EXCLUDED FROM THE INITIAL PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR NEW OFFICERS; AND LOCAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONS BE ALLOWED SOME FLEXIBILITY IN ESTABLISHING PROMOTIONAL CRITERIA. FURTHERMORE, TCLEOSE SUGGESTS THE RESEARCH SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO IDENTIFY A PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING METHODOLOGY THAT MEETS FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND IS APPROPRIATE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS. FINALLY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD ADOPT OFFICIAL POLICIES TO GUIDE OFFICERS' CONDUCT REGARDING USE OF FORCE, ARREST, AND SEARCH AND SEIZURE, AND TO AID AGENCY DISCRETION CONCERNING INSERVICE TRAINING, INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AND ENFORCEMENT OF AGENCY POLICIES OR RULES. TABLES CONTAIN STUDY SUPPORT DATA. (DAG)