NCJ Number
9443
Date Published
1972
Length
232 pages
Annotation
THE EFFICACY OF TWO OPPOSING METHODOLOGIES CONCERNING THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF POLICE OFFICERS IS TESTED.
Abstract
THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A THREE-YEAR EXPERIMENT COMPARING TWO TRAINING METHODS. STRESS TRAINING, BASED ON THE MILITARY MODEL, INVOLVES INTENSIVE PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE IN THE FORM OF VERBAL ABUSE AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT REQUIRED BEHAVIOR. NON-STRESS TRAINING EMPHASIZES ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, PHYSICAL TRAINING, ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, AND A RELAXED AND SUPPORTIVE INSTRUCTOR-TRAINEE RELATIONSHIP. THIS BOOK DETAILS THE BACKGROUND, METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS OF A COMPARISON OF TWO RECRUIT CLASSES. THE CLASSES WERE DIVIDED INTO AN EXPERIMENTAL GROUP AND A CONTROL GROUP AND THE TRAINEES IN EACH WERE MATCHED ON THE BASIS OF EDUCATION, PREVIOUS MILITARY OR POLICE EXPERIENCE, MARITAL STATUS, AGE AND RACE. THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT NON-STRESS - TRAINED OFFICERS DISPLAYED A HIGHER LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE PROFICIENCY IN THE FIELD, A HIGHER LEVEL OF JOB SATISFACTION, AND A HIGHER LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABILITY BY PERSONS SERVED. THE APPENDICES CONTAIN DETAILED DATA ON INDIVIDUAL TRAINEE PERFORMANCES, SAMPLES OF THE EVALUATION FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES USED, AND AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY.