scholarly journals Seeing Police: Cinematic Training and the Scripting of Police Vision

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 367-381
Author(s):  
Christina Aushana
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Police Academy ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Visual Texts ◽  
Training Materials ◽  
Praxis I ◽  
Critical Insight ◽  
Ethnographic Analysis

While contemporary ethnographies on policing describe the use of televisual and cinematic images as ancillary police training materials (Manning 2003; Moskos 2008), few studies have examined how these visual texts shape the practice of patrol work. One of my primary aims as an ethnographer is to find different ways of understanding everyday policing by bringing the materials that construct officers’ visual worlds under ethnographic analysis. These materials include cinematic images used in police academies to teach police recruits how to see like police officers. Attending to cinema’s mobility in training facilities where trainees learn how to screen situations, bodies, and encounters in the field can offer new insights into understanding police vision. I proceed with the knowledge that Antoine Fuqua’s 2001 film Training Day has been screened in San Diego’s police academy. While Training Day reproduces the kinds of visual practices that are part and parcel of policing praxis, I argue that an ethnographic reading of the film offers critical insight into what happens when an idealized police vision “meets the ground” in practice. I explore the productive tension between cinematic models like Training Day and everyday patrol work through an analysis of the “precarious cinema” of policing, a concept I use to understand how police officers’ engagements with Training Day reflect and reveal a mode of police vision that is often blind to the experiences of the policed, and the performance of ethnography as a visual profiling practice that offers new conceptual frames for approaching how these blinds spots manifest in the visual worlds of patrol officers. In a time when police violence and police brutality are invariably subject to the camera’s scrutiny and a scrutinizing public, the political stakes for an increasingly visible police vision include contending with, accounting for, and being answerable to its own visibility.

Marksmanship Skills of Female Police Recruits: Impact of Basic Firearms Training

2001 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Charles ◽  
Anne G. Copay
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Police Academy ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
Female Officers ◽  
Training Institute

Female police officers generally have a weaker grip strength and are less familiar with firearms than their male counterparts when they enter the police academy. The study examined whether the basic law enforcement firearms class adequately prepared female officers. Police recruits coming to the Police Training Institute (PTI) with no or little firearms training were selected. The grip strength and marksmanship scores of 216 police recruits (185 men and 31 women) were measured. Both male and female recruits significantly improved their marksmanship scores by the end of the training. The female scores remained slightly but significantly lower than the male scores due to their lower grip strength.

“Laying Hands” and Learning to Touch and Grab in the Police Academy

2019 ◽  
pp. 446-468
Author(s):  
Brian Lande
Keyword(s):  
Police Officer ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Gain Control ◽  
Police Force ◽  
Police Culture ◽  
Police Academy ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Hands On

Research on the formation of police officers generally focuses on the beliefs, accounts, and categories that recruits must master. Becoming a police officer, however, is not simply a matter of acquiring new attitudes and beliefs. This article attends to an unexplored side of police culture—the sensorial and tactile education that recruits undergo at the police academy. Rubenstein wrote in 1973 that a police officer’s first tool is his or her body. This article examines the formation of the police body by examining how police recruits learn to use their hands as instruments of control. In police vernacular, this means learning to “lay hands” (a term borrowed from Pentecostal traditions) or going “hands on.” This chapter focuses on two means of using the hands: searching and defensive tactics. It describes how instructors teach recruits to use their hands for touching, manipulating, and grabbing the clothing and flesh of others to sense weapons and contraband. It also examines how recruits are taught to grab, manipulate, twist, and strike others in order to gain control of “unruly” bodies. It concludes by discussing the implications of “touching like a cop” for understanding membership in the police force.

Police Training in Sexual Assault Response

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 695-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Lonsway ◽  
Susan Welch ◽  
Louise F. Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Classroom Instruction ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Police Academy ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Experimental Training ◽  
Analysis Of Performance ◽  
Training Protocol

This study evaluates an experimental training program at a Midwestern police academy. In Study 1, one class of police recruits participated in a typical training protocol, and two classes attended the experimental program. Outcomes were compared with quantitative measures and qualitative analysis of performance in a simulated sexual assault interview. In Study 2, outcomes were assessed (a) before the experimental program, (b) after classroom instruction but before a simulated interview, (c) after classroom instruction and a simulated interview, and (d) after classroom instruction and two simulated interviews. Results suggest that specialized training is effective in improving behavioral performance but not cognitive or attitudinal outcomes. The conclusions highlight the importance of behaviorally focused training and evaluation.

scholarly journals The Future of Initial Police Training: A University Perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic A. Wood ◽  
Stephen Tong
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Police Service ◽  
The Status ◽  
University Department

A recurring issue in the initial training of police recruits in England and Wales concerns the status of student police officers. This position paper engages with debates concerning this aspect of initial police training from a university perspective by reflecting on the experiences gained over a three and a half year period of delivering a Student Officer Programme (SOP), a joint collaboration between a university department and a UK police service. As such it should be read as a comment piece that aims primarily to stimulate debate. Although not an empirical research piece, the paper nonetheless engages with the experiences that have been borne out of the collaborative running of the SOP. The paper presents a philosophical analysis of one particular aspect of that experience, namely the tension that arises from the contradictory status of student police officers.

Attitudes toward women in policing

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris C. Chu ◽  
Chang-Chi Tsao
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Police Work ◽  
Attitudes Toward Women ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gender Integration ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Physical Skills ◽  
Rule Out

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare Taiwanese male and female cadets’ attitudes toward women in policing. Specifically, this study assesses whether female and male recruits differ in: their assessment of women in policing; and their preferred roles of women in policing. Design/methodology/approach – Surveys were conducted with 438 cadets (229 males and 209 females) who received recruitment training at the Taiwan Police College in 2011. This methodology provided a rich sample to explore police recruits’ attitudes toward women in policing. Findings – Although male cadets had reservations about females’ capability and physical strength in handling certain aspects of police work, they supported women being assigned to equal or similar duties as men upon entry into the police force. Compared to male cadets, female cadets were more likely to perceive females as being competent as males and thus adequate for police work. Nevertheless, female cadets were reluctant to embrace women's integration into police work, which might require them to perform duties similar to or the same as those of men, such as patrol. Research limitations/implications – It should be noted that the survey in the current study was conducted while recruits were going through training at the police college. The authors cannot rule out the possibility that surveys conducting under this type of circumstances may result in socially desirable responses. Future study should include surveys with cadets at different stages of their training (before, between, and at the end of the training) to further examine if the levels of recruits’ receptiveness to gender integration change over time. Practical implications – This finding highlights the importance of equipping female recruits with mental preparation and physical skills. The training at the academy should prepare cadets with the required skills to serve as patrol officers to boost their confidence. Equally important is to provide suitable training to help cadets raise stress awareness and develop coping mechanisms. Originality/value – Most studies conducted in the past have mainly focussed on police officers’ perceptions of women in policing. Only a handful of studies examine future police recruits’ attitudes toward women in policing, and most of these studies are conducted in western countries. A better understanding of police recruits’ attitudes toward women in policing in a non-western cultural setting can provide insight into theoretical and policy perspectives related to these issues.

Frequency of Training in Less-than-Lethal Force Tactics and Weapons: Results of a Two-State Survey

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darrell L. Ross ◽  
Mark Jones
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Deadly Force ◽  
Police Academy ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Lethal Force ◽  
Liability Risk ◽  
Training Strategies

Failing to train police officers in the use of less-than-lethal force tactics and equipment increases the police department's liability risk. Police officers in Michigan and North Carolina (N=482) responded to a questionnaire pertaining to the training their departments have provided in less-than-lethal force tactics and equipment since graduating from the police academy. A number of respondents were unaware that their department had a non-deadly force policy, and a majority of those who were aware of a policy had never been tested in its contents. Patrol officers as a group had received training in a less timely manner than supervisors. Suggestions for formulating training strategies are provided.

scholarly journals Does the Police Academy Change Your Life? A Longitudinal Study of Changes in Socialising Behaviour of Police Recruits

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia L. Obst ◽  
Jeremy D. Davey
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Police Academy ◽  
Training Process ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Academy Training ◽  
The Social ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Way

The current study tracks the social behaviour of new police recruits from pre-Academy, after six months' Academy training, through to one year into police training ( N = 177). The results showed that recruits socialise and drink more with colleagues after entering the Academy than they did pre-Academy. The way recruits drank also changed during training with a tendency towards heavier drinking sessions. Further results indicated that recruits did feel some pressure to drink to fit in and be one of the crowd. These findings, based on a longitudinal methodology suggest that the enculturation process encouraging recruits to socialise and drink with peers begins early in the training process. The findings are discussed in terms of intervention.

German police recruits’ perception of skill transfer from training to the field

2021 ◽  
pp. 146135572110640
Author(s):  
Mario S Staller ◽  
Swen Koerner ◽  
Valentina Heil ◽  
Andrew Abraham ◽  
Jamie Poolton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Police Force ◽  
Skill Transfer ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Police Recruits

In order optimally to prepare police officers for the demands in the field, police training has to be designed representatively. However, for the German context, there is a scarcity of research investigating to what extent training meets the demands of the field. To fill this gap, the current study examined if police training in Germany meets the field demands of police officers based on the perspective of police recruits. Thirteen recruits from a German police force were interviewed in a semi-structured way to identify possible matches and discrepancies between training and the field. The qualitative were was analysed using content analysis. The results revealed that recruits valued police training very positively because they were able to apply learned skills and tactics in the field. However, results also indicated that: (a) key informational variables present in the field were missing in training, namely chaotic, highly dynamic situations; and (b) police officers need to be adaptable and flexible in the field to cope with the demands. Finally, the results suggested that police training focuses narrowly on dealing with extreme threats, which differs from the experiences recruits had in the field and may have drawbacks because continuously perceiving social situations as threatening and dangerous is a risk factor for aggressive behaviour. Taken together, the current study provides further insights into the wants and needs of recruits in police training.

scholarly journals Lived Experiences on Varied Dimensions of Police Recruits’ Training and Practice Basis for Quality Police Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-203
Author(s):  
Julieta R. Magpantay ◽  
Alberto D. Yazon ◽  
Consorcia S. Tan ◽  
Lerma P. Buenvinida ◽  
Marcial M. Bandoy
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Core Competency ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Police Recruits ◽  
Police Supervisors ◽  
Actual Field ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological ◽  
National Police ◽  
Training Institute

Police malpractice, abuse of power, and police misfits are issues and problems associated with police recruits. There were reports about inappropriate acts committed by newly hired police officers during their actual field practice. This qualitative phenomenological studydetermined the dimensions of training that hamper the development of knowledge and skills of the police trainees and police officers.Seventeen (17) purposely selected participants comprised the sample for this study. They were chosen through the following inclusion criteria: police supervisors, trainers, police recruits, staff from the National Police Training Institute (NPTI) and have two or more years ofexperience. Thirteen recurring themes emerged from the verbatim interviews. The Philippine National Police (PNP), National Police Training Institute (NPTI), and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) are the three public safety institutions in the Philippinesthat are expected to promote the quality performance of police recruits in both training and practice. On the whole, the results of this study can serve as the basis for creating innovative policies about police recruits’ selection, curriculum development, stress management,creation of core competency framework, performance evaluation system, and training and practice needs assessment.

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