NCJ Number
141243
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1993) Pages: 23-26
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Commanding officers from 14 police agencies participated in a study designed to measure the impact of courtesy on policing, specifically the relationship between courtesy and police authority.
Abstract
The findings indicated that courtesy can serve as a strategic tool for the efficient and effective use of police power. Because citizens, who generally only call on police in situations they are unable to handle alone, define courtesy by how police officers treat them, law enforcement personnel should be trained to make valuable positive contact with citizens. These contacts can be classified mainly as good service and respectful treatment. Simple courtesy can soften the anger, fear, or embarrassment of citizens, and can avoid police-citizen confrontations. Citizens usually vent their dissatisfaction by developing a lack of self-confidence, registering a complaint with the department, or entering into verbal or physical confrontations. Courtesy can positively affect not only police-citizen contact but the department's image and internal management dynamics as well. 5 references