NCJ Number
19589
Date Published
1972
Length
0 pages
Annotation
AN EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM COVERING INNOVATIVE WORK OF POLICE AGENCIES IN DEALING WITH FAMILY CRISIS SITUATIONS AND IN UNDERSTANDING THE 'SKID ROW' INHABITANT.
Abstract
IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE POLICE OFFICER MORE AWARE OF THE FEELINGS, NEEDS, AND LIFE STYLE OF THE TYPES OF PEOPLE HE MUST HANDLE, ONE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS INITIATED A PROGRAM IN WHICH THE OFFICER SPENDS THE NIGHT ON SKID ROW, DRESSED AS A DERELICT. THE FILM SHOWS THESE OFFICERS ON THE STREET, EXPERIENCING 'SKID ROW' LIFE FROM THE OTHER SIDE, AND DOCUMENTS THE REACTIONS OF THE OFFICERS AS THEY SPEAK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES IN A GROUP DISCUSSION. A SPECIALLY TRAINED FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT OF THE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IS THEN SHOWN ON TWO DISTURBANCE CALLS. THE FIRST CALL IS TYPICAL OF MOST DEPARTMENTAL SITUATIONS: SHORT, TO THE POINT, OIL ON TROUBLED WATER APPROACH. THE SECOND, ADMITTEDLY EXPERIMENTAL CALL IS MORE ORIENTED TO PROBLEM-SOLVING. IN THIS SITUATION THE OFFICERS SPEND OVER TWO HOURS TRYING TO GET AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE AND WORKING ON THE ALCOHOLIC HUSBAND'S FUNADMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ON-THESPOT REFERRALS AND OTHER TECHNIQUES. THE OFFICER'S VIEWPOINTS ON THESE CALLS ARE THEN AIRED IN BRIEF SESSIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)