NCJ Number
48524
Date Published
1977
Length
32 pages
Annotation
POLICING TECHNIQUES IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS WERE STUDIED IN AN EFFORT TO DETERMINE THE ADEQUACY OF POLICE TRAINING METHODS IN RELATION TO ACTUAL POLICE WORK IN THE NETHERLANDS.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS INITIATED IN RESPONSE TO DISSATISFACTION WITH POLICE WORK, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF CRIME SOLVING, PUBLIC ORDER MAINTENANCE, AND POLICE/COMMUNITY RELATIONS. OBSERVATIONAL METHODS AND SEPARATE SURVEYS RELATING TO WORKING TIME AND POLICE BEHAVIOR WERE UTILIZED. THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED OVER A 2-WEEK PERIOD, AND INCLUDED 1 LARGE CITY DISTRICT, 1 MEDIUM CITY DISTRICT, AND 2 RURAL SUBDISTRICTS. IT WAS FOUND THAT: (1) THE UNIFORMED POLICE SPEND ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THEIR TIME WORKING ON PATROL AND ONE-THIRD AT THE STATION; (2) ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF TOTAL PATROL TIME IS DEVOTED TO INCIDENTS, WHILE ABOUT TWO-THIRDS IS SPENT IN PREVENTIVE PATROL; (3) MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF ALL INCIDENTS CONCERN TRAFFIC CONTROL, ACCIDENTS, AND INFRACTIONS; (4) ONE-FIFTH OF POLICE CONTACTS INVOLVE CITIZEN QUERIES; (5) POLICE HAVE MORE CONTACT WITH THE GENERAL POPULATION IN RURAL AREAS, FACILITATING BETTER PROBLEM SOLVING; (6) ONLY FIVE PERCENT OF ALL CONTACTS WERE CRIME RELATED; (7) LONG-HAIRED, COLORED, AND 'UNTIDY' PERSONS TEND TO ACT IN A MORE AGGRESSIVE AND HOSTILE MANNER TOWARDS POLICE, AND POLICE APPROACH THESE TYPES WITH A MORE AUTHORITARION AND LESS POLITE ATTITUDE; (8) POLICE AND CITIZEN BEHAVIOR ARE HIGHLY CORRELATED: AND (9) EVIDENCES OF UNDUE ABUSES OF POWER ARE RARELY FOUND. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MORE PRACTICAL TRAINING BE INITIATED IN INTERACTION SKILLS TO IMPROVE POLICE-CITIZEN RELATIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH MINORITIES, AND FURTHER THAT REVISED METHODS FOR SOLVING CONFLICTS BE TAUGHT. RECRUITS NEED A MORE REALISTIC VIEW OF WHAT CONSTITUTES THE ESSENTIAL TASK OF THE POLICING, WITH MORE EMPHASIS ON THE SCOPE OF THEIR DISCRETIONARY POWER. TABULAR DATA ARE APPENDED. ELEMENTS OF THE POLICE TRAINING CURRICULUM ARE IDENTIFIED.