An Effectiveness Evaluation of the Oregon State Revised Basic Police Academy Curriculum

In 2013 the State of Oregon passed House Bill 3194—the Justice Reinvestment act—resulting in the creation of the Oregon Center for Policing Excellence. One goal of the center was to revise the curriculum for the statewide Basic Police Academy, with a focus on topics such as communications, crisis intervention, and procedural justice. This curriculum revision was then evaluated independently. A force option simulator was used to assess recruit interaction with community members; this allowed for a reliable and repeatable measurement tool to assess each cohort month after month. Evaluation of behavior changes in recruits from before to after curriculum revisions revealed significant improvements in key policing skills related to interacting with civilians in ways that build trust in police legitimacy, de-escalating hostile situations, and reducing the need for use of force. This chapter describes the curriculum revision in detail, presents results, and discusses them in light of police training moving forward.

An Interview With Chief Sargent of the Worcester, MA Police Department

Chief Sargent, of the Worcester, MA Police Department, is interviewed about his position and perspectives as a chief of police. He discusses his education and the path he took to becoming a chief. Specifically, he discusses working first as a military police officer and his transition into civilian policing. He discusses his advanced training opportunities with the FBI and receiving a degree in criminology. He describes the various positions he has had in law enforcement throughout his career. In addition, he describes changes in policing that have occurred throughout the past decades and how those changes are affecting current policies and initiatives. He further discusses the individuals that work within law enforcement and important characteristics that are essential for those interested in a career in law enforcement. He discusses the implementation of innovative training programs, such as simulators, which aid in preparing officers for different situations. Views about connecting citizens and police and recommendations for researchers are also discussed.

The Potential of Virtual Reality for Police Training Under Stress

To prepare for critical incidents on duty, police officers need to acquire the skills and tactics in realistic environments so that they transfer to high-stress circumstances. To bridge the gap between empirical research and applied practice, the present chapter informs about training concepts within the ecological dynamics framework that effectively promotes performance under stress. Specifically, scenario-based police training is critically discussed by identifying research gaps and challenges in the current practice. Virtual reality (VR) is introduced as a promising tool to overcome these challenges in police training and research. The aim of the present chapter is to inform, update, and improve researchers', police trainers', and curriculum developers' knowledge of VR as a tool to address the need for representative stress training while acknowledging its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Improving Victim Retention and Police-Victim Interactions in Rape Investigations

The initial interaction between rape victims and police can affect how these cases progress through the criminal justice system. In one US state capitol, the police agency determined its initial response to rape victims was less effective than desired. Victim retention was low, and officer written reports were found to endorse negative stereotypes about rape victims. A four-hour training highlighting trauma-informed and victim-supportive police response was developed and implemented, and all agency officers were trained (n=~600). Compared to the six months before training, victim retention improved by 32% in the post-training period. Written reports by officers also improved, showcasing victim-supportive language and improving officers' focus on victim services. The increase in victim retention is a positive outcome for a relatively short training intervention. This chapter concludes that intensive, evidence-based training programs that connect victim trauma response to police trauma response may significantly improve police response to rape victims during initial contact.

Treating Bruised Badges

Policing may lead officers to physical, psychological, and emotional distress. Nonetheless, there is an additional, albeit less studied, threat to officers' well-being. Moral risks, an umbrella term encompassing two interrelated moral struggles—moral distress and moral injury—exacerbate officers' emotional difficulties, spiritual distress, and job dissatisfaction, as well as increase the likelihood of officer misconduct. However, there are psychological interventions that help to minimize the intensity of the psychological and behavioral problems associated with these moral risks and facilitate officers' recovery from these difficulties. This chapter examines the utilization of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and other techniques to treat the moral suffering of law enforcement personnel. It provides practical suggestions for using the strategies of these modalities to increase police officers' well-being.

An Interview With Chief Kennedy of the Chula Vista, CA Police Department

Chief Kennedy, of the Chula Vista Police Department in California, is interviewed about her experiences as a police chief. She provides her unique perspective about her approach to policing and the path she took to her current position. She discusses educational and training requirements to become an officer in her department and how she works to recruit and retain officers. She describes different officer wellness initiatives and philosophies. She provides information about what it is like to be a female officer as well as a female administrator in law enforcement. Further, the interview includes a discussion of recent technological and innovative initiatives. Specifically, she describes a cutting-edge drone program designed to improve officer safety and effectiveness, which is serving as a model of other departments nationwide. Chief Kennedy also discusses the unique experience of policing near the US-Mexico border.

An Interview With Chief Årestad-Radner of the Swedish Police Authority

In this interview, Chief Årestad-Radner, National Coordinator of Recruitment for the Swedish Police Authority, provides her unique insights into law enforcement in Sweden. She discusses her experiences within the police agency and the changes in which she has been involved throughout her career. She describes the current training procedures, the strengths of these, and areas of growth. She reflects on the unique challenges of policing in Sweden, identifying possible solutions to overcome these challenges. Chief Årestad-Radner discusses the need for a police force that is representative of the community as well as the need for a standardized system for recruiting for higher-level positions. In addition, she describes the need for mental health integration within the police department and discusses the benefit of doing so. Lastly, she identifies the need for further research within law enforcement.

Four Fundamental Principles to Enhance Police Performance and Community Safety

Reviewing the preceding 14 chapters from both researchers and law enforcement personnel, the editors identify four cross-cutting and fundamental principles that must be met to create law enforcement agencies and members that have the capacity to deliver high-performance policing within a framework of community safety, trust, and equity. The four identified principles are as follows: 1) police training should embrace an evidence-based philosophy, 2) police departments should utilize technology effectively and judiciously, 3) police training should emphasize justice and community relations, and 4) police leadership should embrace a culture of accountability. Each of these principles is discussed and explored.

Introducing Mindfulness Training and Research Into Policing

The introduction of mindfulness practices into law enforcement has the potential for broad benefits for police officers and community members alike, but the impact of this work depends on careful consideration of contextual factors specific to conducting research and training in this population and environment. This chapter provides an overview of the authors' experiences over the past five years adapting, delivering, and studying the impact of mindfulness training in a Midwestern U.S. police agency. The authors detail strategies and practices that have proved beneficial in the implementation and uptake of this training. Themes that are addressed include developing diverse and meaningful partnerships, preparing outside researchers and trainers to work in a police context, adapting mindfulness for policing, and logistical issues. Key considerations for the future of mindfulness in policing include the challenge of widespread implementation and expanding the focus of research and training to encompass community well-being.

An Interview With Dr. Gardner, Police Psychologist Oakland County Sheriff's Office, MI

In this interview, Dr. Gardner, Police Psychologist of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, provides his insights about working with police officers. He provides an overview of the factors that influenced his decision to pursue this career and which experiences were the most meaningful in helping him be successful as a provider within this unique population. He describes his qualifications as a psychologist, his experiences as a police officer, and the importance of having both of these. He discusses the differences in culture between police officers and the community and the barrier this creates for non-police psychologists to serve such individuals. In addition, he reflects on the unhelpful aspects of cop culture and the negative effects this has on officers' mental health. For the sake of increasing mental health integration and improving officers' quality of life, he concludes by encouraging more individuals to pursue a career in police psychology.