Law Enforcement and Disabilities

Abstract

To further the body of knowledge which determines efficacy of academy police training in the area of disabilities, this study examines the content of law enforcement training curricula for information related to mental illness, mental retardation and pervasive developmental disorder. Seventeen states responded, representing all five regions of the United States and were representative of states with large urban industrialized areas, and relatively large populations, as well as states dominated by a rural agrarian economy and smaller populations. Each curriculum was critiqued using a code sheet containing predetermined criteria for each disability.