NCJ Number
178744
Date Published
1998
Length
95 pages
Annotation
Police safety in Scotland was studied in terms of the nature of the threats experienced by police in violent public encounters and the training and support the officers believed that they needed to manage such incidents.
Abstract
Data were collected mainly by questionnaire from a representative sample of police constables in the Strathclyde and Grampian police; some police were also interviewed. The data were both quantitative and qualitative. Fifty-five percent of the 300 threatening incidents were more serious assaults, resistance to arrest, or injuries, while 26 percent involved threatening behavior or language. The remaining 18 percent were very threatening incidents with potentially serious outcomes; however, these incidents were resolved relatively easily. Weapons were used in 92 incidents; 40 other incidents involved the possible use of objects such as bottles. Knives were used in 30 incidents. Risk appraisal continued throughout the incident rather than just at the beginning. Most officers had relatively positive evaluations of their management of the incident. They also had positive attitudes toward their new equipment, including the expandable baton and the rigid cuffs. Ninety-four percent of the officers believed that their needed skills were exclusively or primarily learned on the job. Police officers provided varied suggestions on ways in which the organization should provide support after such incidents. The interview data demonstrated clearly the importance of backup to officers. Findings suggested the desirability of several actions to improve training and support for police offices. Tables, glossary, appended instruments, list of other reports from the same organization, and 16 references