NCJ Number
14392
Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1974) Pages: 162-172
Date Published
1974
Length
11 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF A PROGRAM TO TRAIN POLICE IN THE USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
Abstract
THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED AS A CONSULTATIVE TRAINING SERVICE INVOLVING A MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT AND THE YOUTH SECTION OF A MONTREAL PRECINCT. ITS GOAL WAS TO INCREASE THE POLICEMAN'S KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL IN INTERVIEWING AND REFERRING CASES SO THAT THESE CASES COULD BE MORE ADEQUATELY HANDLED. TWO DIFFERENT AREAS OF MONTREAL WERE STUDIED - SECTOR A, WHERE THE CONSULTANT ACTED TOGETHER WITH THE POLICE (THE INDEX GROUP), AND SECTOR B, WHERE THE CONSULTANT SELECTED THE CONTROL GROUP FROM CASES THAT HAD INITIALLY BEEN DEALT WITH BY THE POLICE ALONE IN THEIR USUAL MANNER. A FOLLOW-UP VISIT FOR BOTH GROUPS WAS DONE IN THE HOMES OF THE RESPECTIVE FAMILIES BY THE CONSULTANT ALONE TWELVE TO EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE INITIAL VISIT. THESE VISITS INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER OF SUBSEQUENT CONTACTS WITH THE POLICE WAS THE SAME FOR BOTH GROUPS. AS A RESULT OF THIS TRAINING PROJECT, POLICE BEGAN TO RELY LESS ON COURT REFERRALS AND MORE ON THE SERVICES OF OTHER SOCIAL AGENCIES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED.