NCJ Number
19241
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1974) Pages: 262-276
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE ORGANIZATION, SCOPE, AND PURPOSE OF TORONTO, CANADA'S COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER SCHEME IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS ARE ASSIGNED TO A WALKING BEAT IN AREAS TROUBLED BY HIGH CRIME AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THESE OFFICERS BEEN RELIEVED OF REGULAR PATROL DUTIES AND ARE EXPECTED TO INITIATE THEIR OWN CONTACTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND TO DEVELOP AN IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF ITS RESOURCES IN ORDER BEST TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR POLICE SERVICE. THE IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER AND THE UNIFORMED RADIO PATROLMEN IS THAT THE FORMER ARE NOT ON RADIO CALL IN CARS, BUT PLAN THEIR DAY IN ADVANCE AT THE STATION FROM REFERRALS MADE TO THEM BY CITIZENS, SOCIAL AGENCIES AND OTHER POLICE OFFICERS. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS ALSO DO NOT WEAR UNIFORMS BUT DRESS CASUALLY IN PLAINCLOTHES OR JACKETS AND ARE PERMITTED TO WEAR MODERATELY LONG HAIR. THEY DO NOT ACT AS UNDERCOVER AGENTS OR ATTEMPT TO HIDE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE POLICEMEN. RATHER, THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE USE OF PLAINCLOTHES HAS BEEN THAT THE PEOPLE THEY WERE MEETING, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, MORE EASILY RESPOND TO POLICEMEN OUT OF UNIFORM AND THAT, IN MANY SETTINGS, THE UNIFORM CREATES ANIMOSITY AND DIMINISHES THE SENSE OF PERSONAL CONTACT. THE CONTACTS THESE OFFICERS HAD WITH THE COMMUNITY ARE WITH INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS; COMMUNITY GROUPS, AGENCIES, INSTITUTIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS; AND WITH MINORITY GROUPS. THESE CONTACTS RE THE SUBJECT OF FURTHER DISCUSSION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)