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SMALL DEPARTMENT - TRAINING - MANAGEMENT

NCJ Number
26125
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1975) Pages: 19-21
Author(s)
R J BOSTICK
Date Published
1975
Length
3 pages
Annotation
AFTER REVIEWING THE GROWING NEED FOR ADEQUATE POLICE TRAINING IN SMALL DEPARTMENTS, THE AUTHOR REVIEWS THE FINANCIAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE SOLVED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUCH TRAINING.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR NOTES THE CONSIDERABLE IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND EXPENDITURES OF MEDIUM-TO-LARGE SIZED POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN POPULATION AND CRIME RATES IN SMALL CITIES AND RURAL AREAS ARE CITED AS JUSTIFICATIONS FOR INCREASING THE TRAINING IN SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE MANY OBSTACLES TO SMALL DEPARTMENT POLICE TRAINING ARE ALSO REVIEWED, AND INCLUDE LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES, HIGH TURNOVER RATE, LACK OF TRAINING PROGRAMS AIMED AT THE SMALL DEPARTMENTS' NEEDS, AND LACK OF PERSONNEL TO SPARE FOR ATTENDANCE AT DISTANT TRAINING PROGRAMS. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED; THESE INCLUDE CONSOLIDATION OF SMALLER DEPARTMENTS, STATE FUNDING OF ALL POLICE TRAINING, AND DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH STUDIES TO DETERMINE SMALL DEPARTMENT TRAINING NEEDS.