NCJ Number
166741
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1996) Pages: 21,23-24,29
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Police agencies should establish procedures to identify and profile "problem officers" and then apply the proper intervention strategy to either change their behavior or, in extreme cases, remove them from police service.
Abstract
Studies of police agencies over the past 10 years make it clear that a small number of officers are responsible for a disproportionately high percentage of citizen complaints, use-of- force incidents, and lawsuits. Agencies should have an early warning system for identifying such officers. This involves the collection of data on citizen complaints and use-of-force incidents for each officer, as well as other factors pertinent to officer performance, such as sick time, vehicle accidents, and arrestee injuries. Officers whose data show problem behaviors (exceeding the norm for complaints and use of force for officers performing similar work) should be identified, followed by the development of a comprehensive profile of the officer. This becomes the basis for intervention. Intervention should involve an individualized strategy for changing the officer's behavior and may include psychological counseling, employee assistance programs, peer counseling, drug/alcohol testing or rehabilitation, reassignment, remedial training, or proactive internal affairs investigations. The strategy for change should have a clear goal whereby the officer can show appropriate behavioral change. Only when it is clear that the officer is incapable of this change should termination be pursued. 11 notes