NCJ Number
79725
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (1981) Pages: 60-63
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes a traffic accident investigation simulation game developed by the Calgary (Canada) Police to assess the skill level in automobile accident investigation of recruits returning to training after an 18-month practicum in the field.
Abstract
A game or simulation called 'Collision' was designed for the practicum. It allowed the instructor to test specific skills in the classroom while challenging the students to prove they had the capacity to handle a real-life situation. To provide realism as well as followup data on court dispositions, the designers based the game on a real incident. A game board was used to simulate the scene, although photographs of the intersection and models of the police officers and vehicles were added to help recruits put themselves more readily into the action. Information that normally would be obtained through observation and interviewing was placed on a series of data cards that were indexed to assist the instructor. Recruits worked in pairs and kept a record of how they conducted the investigation. They were also required to determine what reports were needed to document the incident and submit charging forms if they believed a law had been violated. Selected responses from student participants demonstrated that the game was not only a valuable training tool, but far more interesting than a written exam. The trainer also reacted favorably to Collision, although he considered it to be more taxing on the instructor than traditional methods.