Entry-Level Uniformed Patrol Officer Job Analysis
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ENTRY-LEVEL UNIFORMED PATROL OFFICER JOB ANALYSIS Task Analysis ENTRY-LEVEL UNIFORMED PATROL OFFICER JOB ANALYSIS Task Analysis THE MISSION OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING IS TO CONTINUALLY ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONALISM OF CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SERVING ITS COMMUNITIES Copyright 1999 California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Published April 1999 For information about copies of this publication contact: POST Media Distribution Center 1601 Alhambra Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 227-4856 COMMISSIONERS Rick TerBorch, Chairman Chief Arroyo Grande Police Department William B. Kolender Sheriff Vice-chairman San Diego County Philip del Campo, Ph.D. Public Member Ted Hunt Director Los Angeles Police Protective League Thomas J. Knutson, Ph.D. Professor of Communication Studies California State University, Sacramento Bill Lockyer Attorney General Jan Scully District Attorney Sacramento County Kenneth J. O'Brien Executive Director PREFACE This report describes the methodology and results of a job task analysis conducted for the entry-level uniformed patrol officer position in California. The purpose of the study was to identify the important job duties that are performed by entry-level uniformed patrol officers statewide. The results provide a basis for subsequent analysis of entry-level patrol officer basic job requirements, that is, the knowledge and skills that are necessary for successful performance of entry-level uniformed patrol officer duties. This project would not have been possible without the extensive participation and assistance of numerous individual police officers, sheriffs deputies, field supervisors, and agency contact persons from many California police and sheriffs departments. POST wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the many members of the law enforcement community who participated in the developmental stages of the project (who are listed in Appendices B, D and E). Also, special recognition is extended to the following POST staff who contributed their time and expertise to this project. John Berner, Ph.D., Bureau Chief (Former) John Weiner, Personnel Selection Consultant (Former) Paula Burnette, Personnel Selection Consultant Donna Brown, Associate Governmental Program Analyst Luella Luke, Associate Governmental Program Analyst Melani Singley, Office Technician Kelly York, Office Technician Kenneth J. 6'~rien Executive Director EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report describes the methodology and results of a uniformed radio-car patrol officer task analysis survey. The study was conducted by the staff of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The study, concluded in 1998, gathered survey data from 1713 incumbent police officers and 61 1 patrol supervisors representing 63 agencies. The study population was randomly selected from a stratified sample that proportionally represented California police and sheriffs departments within three size categories. Frequency and importance ratings were obtained for 332 patrol officer job tasks and 149 complaints and incidents. The analysis indicated that core tasks for the position have remained stable over the last twenty years. This is consistent with other research in the field that shows the position to be highly stable and portable across law enforcement classes (e.g., police officer, sheriff's deputy, highway patrol, state trooper). There were 317 core tasks identified in the survey. The most frequently performed tasks were in the areas of patrol activities, traffic, writing, weapons, and arrest, search and seizure. One hundred forty-six core complaints and incidents were identified. A comparison of the 1978 and 1997 studies revealed a high correlation of task performance. There were seven new tasks identified that are due to changes in technology and the focus of new laws. Those tasks are: 1. Transmit, receive, and monitor messages over radio-car computer terminal (e.g., MDT) 2. Audio-tape citizen contacts 3. Operate roadway checkpoints 4. Complete Admin per Se and other DMV forms for DUI arrests 5. Take preventive safety precautions when administering first aid 6. Seize weapons from suspects in domestic violence andlor psychiatric detention 7. Give hearsay testimony at preliminary hearing pursuant to Proposition 115 Complaints and incidents handled in the 1998 survey that were not in the 1979 survey included: I.Air or water pollution 2. Carjacking vii 3. Computer crime 4. Elderly abuse or neglect 5. Graffitiltagging 6. Hazardous material incident 7. Home invasion 8. Solicitation of prostitution 9. Stalking New tools and equipment used also reflected changes in technology with such equipment as computer terminals, software and pagers being added to the core list. Supervisors rated six incidents as "critically important" to being handled competently. They are: 1. Officer request for assistance, emergency 2. Hostage situation 3. Barricaded suspect 4. Homicide 5. Sniper 6. Bombing Supervisors and incumbents rated a list of eleven (1 1) functions intended to summarize the duties performed by uniformed radio-car patrol officers. All eleven of the functions were rated as being "a fundamental part of the job which uniformed radio-car patrol officers perform" in their agency by at least 85% of the supervisors. The eleven job functions are: 1. Detecting and investigating crimes 2. Documenting investigation, enforcement actions and other patrol activities and contacts 3. Apprehending and arresting suspects 4. Preparing for and presenting legal testimony 5. Managing traffic 6. Providing emergency assistance to the public 7. Maintaining order in the community 8. Advising and assisting the public 9. Working with the community to reduce crime and address community concerns 10. Enhancing police-community relations 11. Maintaining and improving job readiness viii The purpose for obtaining this data is to identify the important job duties that are performed by entry-level uniformed patrol officers statewide. The results of the task analysis are currently being used to support POST'S Basic Training Bureau's curriculum development for the Regular Basic Course. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction...................................................................................................................... I Background............................................................................................................... 1 Objectives .................................................................................................................3 Methodology ..............................................................................................................4 Survey Development................................................................................................. 7 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................. 16 "CoreJ'Criteria for Tasks. Complaints/lncidents. & Information Sources ................. 16 "CoreJ'Criteria for Equipment and Transportation Checklist ................................... 17 "CoreJ'Criteria for Legal References ....................................................................... 17 Supervisor Survey Analysis Sample .....................................................................18 Overview of Task Analysis Results ......................................................................... 18 Tasks ................................................................................................................... 19 Complaints/lncidents............................................................................................... 19 Equipment and Transportation................................................................................ 20 Information Sources ............................................................................................... -20 References ............................................................................................................ -21 Job Functions ......................................................................................................... 21 Comparison of 1998 to 1979 Entry-Level Uniformed Patrol Officer Statewide Job Analysis ........................................................................ 22 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 25 Tables ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 1. Entry-Level Patrol Officer Study Population by Agency Type and Size .............. 1-1 2 . Target Sample Sizes ........................................................................................... 2-1 3. Agencies Participating in Job Analysis Survey ................................................... 3-1 4 . Job Analysis Sample Size Decision Rules for Agency Size Categories.............. 4-1 5 . Survey Sample Demographics - Patrol Officers ................................................. 5-1 6 . Survey Sample Demographics - Supervisors..................................................... 6-1 7 . "CoreJJTasks List ................................................................................................. 7-1 8 . Critical Patrol Officer Tasks - Patrol Supervisor Ratings .................................... 8-1 9. Patrol Officer Tasks Performed Most Frequently ................................................ 9-1 10 . Critical