NCJ Number
31132
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1976) Pages: 20,22-23
Date Published
1976
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE GENERAL PHILOSOPHY, IMPLEMENTATION, SERVICES, AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS OF THIS VOLUNTARY AND CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING SERVICE WHICH SEEKS TO AID POLICE OFFICERS EXPERIENCING EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE COUNSELING UNIT IS PRIMARILY A REFERRAL SERVICE (I.E., A SITUATION REQUIRING A SPECIALIZED SERVICE OR ONGOING COUNSELING IS REFERRED TO A RESOURCE IN THE COMMUNITY), THE SERVICES REMAIN FLEXIBLE TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE OFFICER AND HIS FAMILY. DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, 134 POLICE FAMILIES WERE SEEN EITHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION, SHORT-TERM FOCUSED COUNSELING, OR REFERRAL TO A COMMUNITY RESOURCE. THE POSSIBLE CONFLICTS IN ESTABLISHING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE UNIT WITHIN A LARGE BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATION SUCH AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE DISCUSSED. METHODS USED TO INSURE BOTH PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ARE ALSO OUTLINED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)