What Impact Will the AIDS Epidemic Have on the Patrol Officers' Job Performance by the Year 1993?

• NCJ Number: 114070
• Author(s): W C Brown
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 97 pages
• Corporate Author: California Cmssn on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; POST Media Distribution Ctr
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper explores the impact the AIDS epidemic will have on the jobs of California police officers, uses futures scenarios to examine the chance that patrol officers will be in contact with people with AIDS, identifies needed policies and procedures to deal with citizens with AIDS, and presents an action plan for California decisionmakers.

Abstract

The study used futures research techniques together with interviews with health care providers and a telephone survey of police and sheriff's departments in California. The analysis indicated that the most important step that California law enforcement agencies can take is to develop a comprehensive education and training program for the handling of people who have AIDS. Training should begin at the basic cadet level and should continue through advanced officer training and inservice programs. Any education program needs to cover the medical, legal, and psychological dimensions of AIDS. Both management and employees should receive training. Law enforcement agencies should also adopt policies requiring both the use of safety equipment by officers and care for people with AIDS. A transition management plan for the adoption of these policies, figures, tables, and appended methodological information are included. (Author abstract modified)