NCJ Number
44051
Date Published
1977
Length
21 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS IN DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY ARE DISCUSSED, AND ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED IN THE INTERESTS OF EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT POLICE SERVICE ARE IDENTIFIED.
Abstract
ATTEMPTS TO DEFINE THE ROLE OF THE AMERICAN POLICE FAIL BECAUSE THERE IS NO UNIFORMITY IN AMERICAN POLICING. TO MOST CITIZENS, POLICE OFFICERS REPRESENT THE FRONT LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST CRIME. ALTHOUGH THE POLICE MUST CONTINUE TO APPREHEND LAWBREAKERS, GREATER EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON POLICE RESPONSIBILITY FOR KEEPING THE PEACE, PREVENTING CRIME, AND PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM HARM AND FROM UNLAWFUL INFRINGEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT MOST PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THE POLICE ARE NOT THE FAULT OF THE POLICE, BUT ARE RATHER REFLECTIONS OF POLITICS, INADEQUATE RESOURCES, POOR PLANNING AND COORDINATION, AND THE NATURE OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF. AMONG ISSUES WHICH REQUIRE ATTENTION ARE THE FOLLOWING: THE HIRING OF MORE FEMALE OFFICERS; THE HIRING OF MORE ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL, AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL FOR MIDDLE MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVE POSITIONS VIA LATERAL ENTRY; DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL, PORTABLE POLICE PENSION; INCREASED HIRING OF COLLEGE GRADUATES; AMALGAMATION OF SERVICES; COORDINATION OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL POLICE FUNCTIONS; IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLANNING-PROGRAMMING-BUDGETING SYSTEM; DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS; ELIMINATION OF MULTILAYERED COMMAND STRUCTURES; AND PROVISION OF WORKABLE GUIDELINES. AMONG OTHER ISSUES ARE THE HIRING OF LEGAL ADVISORS TO ASSIST STREET AND COMMAND PERSONNEL; AN OVERHAUL OF THE POLICE PERSONNEL MODEL; CREATION OF A STATEWIDE MINIMUM STANDARDS BOARD; INCREASED ACCESS TO POLICE RECORDS FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES; ELIMINATION OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN POLICE ADMINISTRATION; AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE CRIME REPORTING SYSTEM. A CHAPTER TEST IS PROVIDED.