Modell, S.J. & Mak, S.(2008). A preliminary assessment of police officers’ knowledge and perceptions of persons with disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 46(3), 183-189.
This study is based on a survey of 124 police officers of various ranks in Northern California. The results revealed that many officers were poorly informed about disabilities but also demonstrated that many recognized that they needed to learn more and wanted more training on disability. A few results include:
- 56% did not know the difference between mental and physical disabilities.
- 80% were unable to describe characteristics of autism.
- 48% indicated that they had received no training on disabilities and an additional 45% indicated that they had minimal training.
- Asked whether in their experience people with disabilities were more often victims or perpetrators of crime, 56% indicated that people with disabilities were more often victims, 4% indicated that they were more often perpetrators, and 19% indicated that they were equally likely to be victims or perpetrators. The remainder indicated that other responses or that they didn’t know.
- Finally, 63% of officers indicated that they would like to receive more training on people with disabilities and how to work with them.
This study provides strong evidence that police officers need more training that will better enable them to work with people with disabilities.
Members of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities can access the full study on line. Others may access it through your local library system.
Tags: Police training, Policing
