Mediation & Arbitration By Patrol Police Officers

Mediation & Arbitration by Patrol Police Officers demonstrates how and why mediation and arbitration, two conflict resolution methodologies, are related to patrol police work. Christopher Cooper points out that many police calls-for-service are for interpersonal disputes, including disagreements over property, noisy neighbors, or other domestic situations not involving violence. Therefore, police officers armed with mediation skills can handle these types of scenes substantively, avoid escalating the level of the dispute, and avert a repeat call-for-service. A police department trained in mediation and arbitration also maintains a better reputation with citizens and strengthens community policing philosophy, missions and programs. This book provides a rationale for mediation and arbitration training, along with an explanation of the process and instructions for the training of police officers. It offers an aid to dispute resolution professionals with role playing situations and lesson plans helpful in designing and implementing mediation and arbitration training programs for patrol police officers. For police administrators, this book offers a guide to establishing official mediation and arbitration protocol for calls-for-service.

Christopher Cooper is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Saint Xavier University and Chairman of the Criminal Justice Sector of the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution.