NCJ Number
83371
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1982) Pages: 10-15
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes a course developed by the Police Training Institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign for training firstline police supervisors which emphasizes roleplaying and other practical exercises rather than lecture techniques.
Abstract
The 2-week course focuses on basic supervisory skills; course units cover such subjects as authority and control, decisionmaking, morale and discipline, principles of communication, work assignment, handling complaints, and evaluation. Four faculty members conduct the course using a team approach. Instruction in each subject area is followed by practical exercises in which students roleplay a scenario illustrating the basic concepts involved. This performance-oriented instruction requires reduced class sizes, more time, and a much higher ratio of staff to students. Traditional written tests are minimized, while evaluation of observable behavior through roleplaying, simulation, and case study is increased. A case study exercise is used throughout the course. A text presenting a general, traditional approach to supervision is also used. The 111 students who have been trained in 5 classes have come from various police ranks, and most have had some education beyond high school. However, many of the students believed that their superior officers would be unwilling to consider new management approaches. These perceptions may change as more trained supervisors move to higher management positions. Compared to the traditional lecture method, the course has produced a radical improvement in student response and learning.