NCJ Number
195130
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 48-59
Date Published
2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents arguments in favor of restructuring police service and training in Germany.
Abstract
Over the last few years a reappraisal of policing philosophy and the role of the police has taken place in Germany. There are drives for greater efficiency, new public management, and changes in workplace philosophy. A community-oriented strategy includes order maintenance, problem solving, and provision of services as well as other activities. Police cannot lose sight of its core functions of protection and security provision. These can be achieved by cooperating with the community and training involving problem-solving skills and techniques. Police are highly regarded by the public in Germany. Police officers themselves presume that the public distrusts them and depreciates their performance on the job. The patrol officer, usually the least well trained and educated, is in a key position for exercising the greatest amount of discretion on criminal or possibly criminal activities. Police training has to be suited to a modern police force that is evolving along with the society it serves. This requires continuous in-service training to keep up to date with developments. Communication and conflict solution abilities will assume a new importance. An increasing workload and budgetary restrictions require police staff at different levels to master modern management skills and techniques to run the organization effectively. Outsourcing and privatization of tasks should be considered, as well as exchanging of information between police training institutions. Students should learn to distinguish between the individual culture of the members of the institution, established over time between peers, and the official culture of the institution. Training that provides tools without delivering the philosophy and understanding of the roles of a police officer is useless and could be dangerous for society. 2 figures, 17 references