NCJ Number
70287
Journal
Evaluation and Change Dated: Special Issue (1980) Pages: 110-115
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The programs instituted in Sacramento and Fremont, Calif., police departments by the Police Foundation to improve the police and courts attitudes towards victims had some success, in spite of the initial resistance on the part of the officers.
Abstract
The police victim interactions are only one of many of the Police Foundation's research projects aimed at improving police work. The police officers are usually the first to reach the victims, but their personal attitude, and the justice system's focus on getting a conviction, rather than helping the victim, interfere with the show of compassion which the victim needs. The programs conducted in the police department in Sacramento and Fremont, Calif., by the Police Foundation, reflect these difficulties. In Sacramento, police effectively resisted departmental attempts to distribute informational brochures to victims. While the training program increased officer awareness of victims' needs, it failed to encourage new behavior. However, in Fremont, the officers were continuing to hand out to victims brochures with detachable questionnaires on the quality of police attitudes. The favorable responses by the victims contributed to the success of this program. More research and evaluation by the Police Foundation, by similar agencies, and by in-house evaluators in programs throughout the country are needed to develop a realistic understanding of what victim programs can and cannot accomplish.