NCJ Number
67216
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL/JUNE 1980) Pages: 154-162
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
COMMUNITY CONSTABLES ASSIGNED TO IMPROVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS IN WEST YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, WORK IN SOCIAL SERVICE, MAINTAIN ORDER, AND ENFORCE THE LAW.
Abstract
THE COMMUNITY CONSTABLE (CC) SCHEME IS INTENDED TO FOSTER AND DEVELOP A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY IN PROBLEM AREAS. REGULAR FOOT PATROLS BY OFFICERS WELL KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY (SUPPORTED BY CAR PATROLS AND DETECTIVES), SPEARHEAD THE EFFORT. IN A WEST YORKSHIRE MODEL PROGRAM, CCS' WERE ASSIGNED TO AREAS WITH HIGH CRIME AND TRUANCY RATES AS WELL AS A HIGH PROPORTION OF UNCOOPERATIVE AND SOCIALLY-DEPRIVED RESIDENTS. CASE STUDIES SUPPORT THE CONTENTION THAT OFFICERS FAMILIAR WITH THEIR BEATS ARE BETTER ABLE TO ENACT THE MODEL'S MAIN ROLES OF SOCIAL SERVICE, ORDER MAINTENANCE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. ALTHOUGH MOST OFFICERS SEE THE CC ROLE AS A MARGINAL ACTIVITY, PUBLIC RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORABLE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING POLICE PERCEPTION OF THE CC INCLUDE DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAM WHICH EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE ROLE, INTEGRATING A MORE DEVELOPED SUPPORT TEAM WITHIN THE FORCE, AND ASSIGNING MOTIVATED OFFICERS TO THE TEAM, CONCOMITANTLY INSTITUTING PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. A TABLE AND TWO FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.