NCJ Number
226100
Date Published
October 2008
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Among the featured community-policing topics discussed in this issue are the role of human rights commissions in strengthening relations between local police and immigrant communities, the role of performance appraisal systems in community policing, and how community policing has changed selection criteria for new police recruits.
Abstract
The discussion of the role for human rights commissions in strengthening relations between local police and immigrant communities is based on the experiences of these commissions in working to minimize intergroup conflict and eliminate discrimination. A recent paper produced by the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Session on Human Rights Commissions and Criminal Justice suggests ways in which human rights commissions can work with police departments in addressing issues related to day-laborer hiring sites, immigrant gang violence, and ethnic and racial profiling. This “Dispatch” newsletter summarizes these suggestions. The newsletter also features an interview with David Carter, professor and director of the Intelligence Program at the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice. Professor Carter travels around the country providing training and technical assistance for law enforcement agencies. Among the issues he discusses in the interview are the features of the most successful community policing initiative or program he has observed, features that are necessary to develop and maintain a successful community policing program, and the biggest challenge facing the advancement of community policing today. In discussing the role of performance appraisal systems in community policing, the newsletter advises law enforcement agencies to adapt their performance appraisal systems to reflect community policing measures, as well as the traditional measures that are currently used. The article on recruiting candidates for community policing notes that agencies are tending to focus on individuals with character traits such as communication, compassion, dedication, achievement, integrity, courage, and commitment to service.