NCJ Number
81375
Date Published
1980
Length
292 pages
Annotation
Information is provided on the number, structure and operations of State Peace Officers Standards and Training Commissions as of July 1, 1978.
Abstract
As of July 1, 1978, 45 States had established some form of a Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to set and enforce statewide minimum selection and training standards. Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and West Virginia had not. In addition to law enforcement officers, commissions have jurisdiction over correctional officers in 14 States, parole officers in 12 States, probation officers in 10 States, investigators in prosecutors' and defenders' offices in 28 States, and lawyers in prosecutors' and defenders' offices in 2 States. Nine States are supported totally by the general fund, while 23 more receive some general fund support. Only four States require a new peace officer to complete basic training before exercising peace officer powers, while 29 States require completion within 1 year. Course content is established by empirical task analysis in only two States (California and New Jersey), and the number of required hours averages 395 for 47 States. Training for newly promoted supervisors is available in 41 States and required in 28. Update, refresher, or advanced training is required in only 12 States for first line officers and in only 5 States for supervisors. Instructors are certified in 37 States. Thirty-nine States have minimum standards that must be met by local government jurisdictions. Management survey and counseling programs are provided in 14 States. Ten States provide large-scale organizational studies, with the other four States providing single-topic special surveys. Tabular data are provided by State, and the questionnaire is appended. (Author summary modified)