Training the 21st Century Police Officer: Redefining Police Professionalism for the Los Angeles Police Department

• NCJ Number: 202584
• Author(s): Russell W. Glenn; Barbara R. Panitch; Dionne Barnes-Proby; Elizabeth Williams; John Christian; Matthew W. Lewis; Scott Gerwehr; David W. Brannan
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 276 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Los Angeles Police Dept
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This book discusses a 9-month study for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on five critical areas of improvement in police training.

Abstract

The critical areas were use of force, search and seizure, arrest procedures, community policing, and diversity awareness. The study employed a combination of data collection methods including a review of LAPD and other departments' written course documents, department policies, observation of instructional sessions, focus groups, a case study survey, and literature reviews. The training problems were systemic in nature and required a unified approach to change. The first essential step to improving police training is to establish and communicate a common foundation for police performance - redefined professionalism. This police professionalism is distinct from the notion of professionalism that was prevalent in 1950's and 1960's policing. It is a wider ranging three-tiered approach based on the tenets of corporateness, responsibility, and expertise. The governing concept of this new professionalism will provide an important underpinning for correction of weaknesses within the LAPD training system. Other than adopting this new concept of professionalism, five other recommendations were made. The first was to establish an LAPD lessons-learned program. The second recommendation was to introduce and maintain consistently high quality throughout every aspect of training. The third was to restructure the LAPD Training Group to allow centralization of planning; instructor qualification, evaluation, and learning retention; and more efficient use of resources. The fourth recommendation was to integrate elements of community-oriented policing and diversity awareness training models throughout training. The final recommendation was to develop training on use of force, search and seizure, and arrest procedures that meet current standards of excellence. Conducting training founded on police professionalism is of value only if senior leadership stands behind the concept. LAPD department leaders demonstrated willingness in this regard. 7 figures, 8 tables, 13 appendices, bibliography