NCJ Number
58991
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
TESTS TO ASSESS STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE BASIC TRAINING COURSE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN CALIFORNIA, DEVELOPED BY THE COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING (POST), ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE POST BASIC COURSE WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1960 AND REVISED IN 1964. RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE THE COURSE'S TRAINING STANDARDS, A CONSORTIUM INCLUDING THE POST COMMISSION, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES UNDERTOOK A COOPERATIVE EFFORT TO MODIFY THE BASIC COURSE IN 1973. THAT EFFORT PRODUCED A BASIC COURSE TRAINING SYSTEM THAT IS ORGANIZED INTO THREE BASIC COMPONENTS DOCUMENTED BY PUBLICATIONS CONTAINING PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, INSTRUCTIONAL UNIT GUIDES, AND A MANAGEMENT GUIDE. WHEN MORE SOPHISTICATED AND COMPLETE TESTS ARE AVAILABLE, ALONG WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION, POST WILL HAVE THE MEANS FOR INSURING THAT TRAINING BY VARIOUS POLICE ACADEMIES WILL BE DIRECTED TO ACHIEVING THE SAME ENDS. THE POST COMMISSION HAS REQUESTED THAT THREE GENERAL CLASSES OF TESTS BE DEVELOPED FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BASIC COURSE (DIAGNOSTIC, PROFICIENCY, AND CERTIFICATION). TESTS SHOULD BE RELEVANT TO ACTUAL JOB BEHAVIOR, BE STANDARDIZED AND RELIABLE, BE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE TO ADMINISTER, AND PROVIDE SUFFICIENT COVERAGE TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF TRAINING OR JOBS. PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SITUATIONAL TESTS AND ROLE PLAYING AND A-V SIMULATIONS ARE DESCRIBED. A TEST DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POST BASIC COURSE IS DETAILED THAT INVOLVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEST CONTENT AND STRATEGIES; THE DESIGN OF DIAGNOSTIC, PROFICIENCY, AND CERTIFICATION TESTS; AND TEST VALIDATION. A POST EVALUATION SHEET, EXAMPLES OF TESTS TO BE DEVELOPED, AND A LIST OF AREAS REQUIRING COMPETENCE AND EXPERIENCE WITH REGARD TO TEST DEVELOPMENT FOR POST AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)