NCJ Number
16168
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 41 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1974) Pages: 47-50
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
COMPARISON OF THE 'GUIDANCE METHOD APPROACH' TO RECRUIT TRAINING AS OPPOSED TO THE TOTAL-CONTROL ENVIRONMENT.
Abstract
THE TOTAL CONTROL ENVIRONMENT (THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO POLICE RECRUIT TRAINING) INVOLVES TRAINING UNDER A STRESS PROGRAM IN A MILITARY ATMOSPHERE. THIS APPROACH, HOWEVER, FAILS TO DEVELOP SELF-DISCIPLINE AND DECISION-MAKING ABILITIES IN THE RECRUITS. THE 48TH POLICE RECRUIT CLASS OF THE COLUMBUS DIVISION OF POLICE WERE TRAINED IN A TOTAL CONTROL ENVIRONMENT FOR ITS FIRST NINE WEEKS AT THE ACADEMY. FOR THE LAST EIGHT WEEKS, RECRUITS WERE PLACED IN POSITIONS OF COMMAND (SQUAD LEADER, PLATOON LEADER, COMPANY COMMANDER) ON A ROTATING BASIS. NEGATIVE DISCIPLINE WAS ALSO GREATLY CURTAILED. THIS DIFFERENT APPROACH WAS EVALUATED FROM INDIVIDUAL STAFF REPORTS, STAFF EVALUATIONS OF RECRUITS BEFORE AND AFTER USE OF THIS TRAINING APPROACH, AND PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH RECRUITS. GRADE COMPARISONS WITH OTHER CLASSES, PRECINCT SERGEANTS' COMMENTS AND REPORTS, AND CLASS CRITIQUES WERE ALSO USED. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE GUIDANCE METHOD APPROACH REPRESENTED A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT IN THE TRAINING PROGRAM, HOWEVER, RECRUITS INDICATED THAT THE GUIDANCE METHOD WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT THE TOTAL-CONTROL CONCEPT FIRST BEING EMPLOYED.