NCJ Number
146709
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 67-71
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Factors influencing police-public relations are discussed.
Abstract
This article explores post-independence era changes in Indian society. Given the peculiar bounds of the Indian society, the author observes that a perceived sense of deprivation among all segments of society tends to shape uncooperative attitudes among the public to the administration in general, and to the police in particular. Excessive democratisation, distorted individualisation, misinterpreted secularism, ad hoc industrialisation and unplanned urbanisation leading to slum development contribute to these attitudes. The author summarizes the results of his study entitled "The Mutual Expectations and Perceptions of the Police and the Public in the Matter of Dealing with Crime." His sample population consisted of 270 educated members of the public from different sectors, age groups, and sex and 268 educated members of the police of different ranks and sex. A detailed questionnaire was structured with reference to prevention, immediate response, investigations and disposals relating to 10 actual criminal cases. Attitudes were assessed on an instrument of attitude already tested for Indian conditions. Findings of the study include: public expectations were in direct proportion to the knowledge the group had of the functioning of the police and the criminal justice system; people who had low expectations of the police had a more positive image of the police while people with high expectations of the police, including criminal justice professionals, had a more negative image; public attitudes toward the police were low compared to the opinion the police had of themselves and their work; and people who had prior positive contacts with the police had a slightly more positive attitude toward police than those who had no prior or bad contacts. To improve police-community relations, the author concludes that police should pursue opportunities to interact positively with the public. Complaints, including those brought against the police themselves and those brought by officers against other officers, should be responded to promptly. Police should improve their technical skills and seek to conduct themselves in an increasingly professional manner. Bibliography with nine sources