NCJ Number
7724
Date Published
1972
Length
11 pages
Annotation
MOTIVATION OF CITIZEN SUPPORT GROUPS INCLUDES CONVINCING THE PUBLIC OF THE VALUE OF POLICE, RECOGNIZING CITIZENS' NEEDS, AND IMPROVING POLICE PERFORMANCE.
Abstract
BY PLACING POLICE OFFICERS IN VEHICLES WE HAVE IMPROVED THEIR EFFICIENCY AND INCREASED THEIR MOBILITY BUT IN DOING SO WE HAVE LOST A GOOD DEAL OF THE PERSONAL CONTACT THAT IS ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF FOOT PATROLS. MANY POLICE OFFICERS FEEL THIS LACK OF PERSONAL CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC AND SEE A NEED FOR INCREASING CITIZEN SUPPORT THROUGH OTHER MEANS. CITIZEN SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE BEGINS BY EXAMINING SOME OF THE COMMON OBSTACLES TO GAINING ORGANIZED CITIZEN SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY THOSE ARISING FROM ATTITUDES HELD BY POLICE ADMINISTRATORS. THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT SOME OF THE MANY BENEFITS TO BE GAINED FROM HAVING COMMUNITY SUPPORT BEHIND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DESIRED, MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY IS FRIENDLINESS AND FAITH. VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH PUBLIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS MIGHT BE ORGANIZED AND LED ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING A CONSIDERATION OF MEDIA SUPPORT. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES WITH A LIST OF STATEMENTS WHICH HE SUGGESTS POLICE PERSONNEL USE TO CONSIDER THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD THEMSELVES AND THEIR ROLE IN SOCIETY. THIS DOCUMENT WILL BE HELPFUL TO POLICE AND POLICE ADMINISTRATORS SEEKING WELL-ORGANIZED, EFFECTIVE CITIZEN SUPPORT. (SNI ABSTRACT)