NCJ Number
50
Date Published
1970
Length
113 pages
Annotation
THIS TRAINING WAS INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE INNOVATIVE METHODS OF CRIME PREVENTION AND PREVENTIVE MENTAL HEALTH.
Abstract
PROCESSING FAMILY DISTURBANCES CONSTITUTES A MAJOR ASPECT OF POLICE WORK. TRADITIONAL POLICE APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM DO NOT REFLECT THE REALITIES OF THIS POLICE EXPERIENCE. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF INJURIES AND FATALITIES SUFFERED BY POLICE OCCUR IN THE HIGHLY VOLATILE FAMILY CONFLICT SITUATION. THE PRESENT PROJECT ATTEMPTED TO MODIFY FAMILY ASSAULTS AND FAMILY HOMICIDES AND TO REDUCE PERSONAL DANGER TO POLICE OFFICERS IN SUCH SITUATIONS. THE PROJECT ATTEMPTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW PREVENTIVE MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY. ASSUMING THAT FAMILY CONFLICT MAY BE AN EARLY SIGN OF EMOTIONAL DISORDER IN ONE OR ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS, THE PROJECT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE POLICEMEN AS FRONT-LINE CASEFINDERS IN KEEPING WITH THEORIES OF PRIMARY PREVENTION. IT WAS PROPOSED THAT SELECTED POLICEMEN COULD BE PROVIDED WITH INTERPERSONAL SKILLS NECESSARY TO EFFECT CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOMES IN DETERIORATING SITUATIONS WHICH REQUIRE POLICE INTERVENTION. REJECTION OF AN EXCLUSIVELY SPECIALIZED ROLE FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED WAS A MAJOR EMPHASIS. THE PROGRAM AVOIDED THE CONVERSION OF POLICEMEN INTO SOCIAL WORKERS OR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS. THE OFFICERS WERE EXPECTED TO PERFORM ALL GENERALIZED POLICE PATROL FUNCTIONS BUT WERE THE INDIVIDUALS DISPATCHED ON ALL FAMILY DISPUTES IN A GIVEN GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. IN ADDITION TO CONTINUOUS GROUP EXPERIENCE, EACH FAMILY SPECIALIST WAS ASSIGNED AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR WEEKLY CONSULTATION. THE INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS WERE ADVANCED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS WHO ACQUIRED IN THIS WAY AN UNUSUAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION EXPERIENCE. THE RECIPROCAL EFFECT OF THESE ENCOUNTERS ON THE STUDENTS AND UPON THE POLICEMEN IS SELF-EVIDENT.