NCJ Number
59390
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1979) Pages: 16-17
Date Published
1979
Length
2 pages
Annotation
THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF BURLINGTON, N.C., SUGGESTS WAYS IN WHICH ALL POLICE OFFICERS CAN BE CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
Abstract
THE FIRST DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IS THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. HOWEVER, IN SMALL DEPARTMENTS, IT IS SOMETIMES ASSUMED THAT ONE OFFICER OR DIVISION IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CRIME PREVENTION. THIS OFFICER NOT ONLY NEEDS TRAINING IN THE USE AND HANDLING OF SECURITY ALARMS AND LOCKS, BUT ALSO NEEDS TO SERVE AS A LIAISON OFFICER BETWEEN THE UNIFORMED DIVISION, THE TRAINING DIVISION, AND THE COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, A DEPARTMENT IN WHICH ALL OFFICERS ARE AWARE THAT CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS CAN BE PREVENTED WOULD BE MORE PRACTICAL AND DESIRABLE. POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR DEALING WITH DOMESTIC PROBLEMS, ABUSED SPOUSES AND ABUSED CHILDREN, AND ALCOHOLICS. IF OFFICERS HAVE THE NAMES AND HOTLINES FOR SERVICES AND AGENCIES SUCH AS MARRIAGE COUNSELORS, ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS AND CHILD SHELTERS, THEY WILL BE PREPARED TO REFER POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC SITUATIONS TO PERSONS CAPABLE OF RESPONDING TO THE NEED. UNIFORMED PERSONNEL NEED TO GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE PUBLIC THEY SERVE BY TALKING WITH BUSINESSMEN AND HOMEOWNERS ABOUT SECURING THEIR PROPERTY, CHECK CASHING POLICIES, AND LEGAL PROBLEMS; ESSENTIALLY, THERE MUST BE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY. THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY, BY WORKING AS A COHESIVE UNIT IN SOLVING SOME OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS, CAN PREVENT CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY AND PERSONS SUCCESSFULLY.