Dealing with domestic disputes/violence by women police in India: Results of a training program in Tamil Nadu

Mangai Natarajan

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The City University of New York, USA

Abstract:

An evaluation is described of a training program in dealing with domestic dispute and violence cases given to 30 Tamil Nadu women police officers in 2002-2003. The training was delivered online and in the classroom. An action-research approach was adopted in studying the impact of the training. Before-and-after assessments were made of the 30 women's working knowledge of (1) dispute-resolution techniques, (2) interviewing the petitioners in family disputes, and (3) data entry and data management. Significant improvements were found in all three areas and the project illustrates the value of web-based technology for delivering police officer training. The lessons of this project have training implications not only for other police forces in India but also for other developing countries.

Keyword:

Police; Training; Women Police; Tamil Nadu; Technology; Safety;