NCJ Number
13282
Date Published
1974
Length
18 pages
Annotation
CONCEPTS UNDERLYING CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL AND OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH PROGRAMS.
Abstract
IN 1972, THIRTEEN PERCENT OF ALL POLICEMEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WERE RESPONDING TO FAMILY DISTURBANCE COMPLAINTS AND ALMOST TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF ALL REPORTED MURDERS OCCURRED BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS. DESPITE THESE DANGERS, TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH SUCH CRISES ARE RARELY INCLUDED IN POLICE RECRUIT AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS. THE INTENT OF THIS MONOGRAPH IS TO CORRECT THAT SITUATION BY EXPLAINING THE CONCEPTS UNDERLYING CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING AND PRESENTING ORGANIZATIONAL AND OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH PROGRAMS. THE INITIAL DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON TWO AREAS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR WHICH RELATE TO THIS POLICE FUNCTION. THEY ARE INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION THEORY AND PRACTICE. EVENTS DURING WHICH CRISIS INTERVENTION BY OFFICERS WOULD BE HELPFUL INCLUDE CRIME VICTIMIZATION, NATURAL DISASTERS, NOTIFICATION OF DEATH OR INJURIES, ACCIDENTS, PSYCHOTIC REACTIONS, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDES. THE AUTHORS TOUCH UPON SOME OF THE SUBTLE FACTORS THAT MAY HINDER EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT A NEW APPROACH IN A TRADITIONAL SYSTEM AND PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH MAY BE HELPFUL IN COUNTERING THE DESTRUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF AMBIVALENCE. IN ADDITION, THREE MODELS OF IMPLEMENTATION, BASED ON THE STRUCTURE OF POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, ARE PRESENTED. FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION, AS A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY, REQUIRES INTENSIVE TRAINING, AS WELL AS WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)