NCJ Number
10720
Date Published
1969
Length
242 pages
Annotation
RESTRICTIONS AND ISOLATION OF POLICE WORK CREATE BASIC CONFLICTS WITH THE VALUES OF DEMOCRACY, BUT CAN BE RECONCILED BY PROPER ORIENTATION.
Abstract
THE TOTALITARIAN, QUASI-MILITARY, AND DEFENSIVE TENDENCIES OF AMERICAN POLICE FORCES CAN BE AVOIDED BY INCREASING CIVILIAN INFLUENCE AND INTERACTION, AND BY PROVIDING POLICEMEN WITH EDUCATIONAL AND MONETARY INCENTIVES. TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE STUDY AT A CIVILIAN INSTITUTION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AS PART OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITS. TOP POLICE ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD HAVE ADVANCED EDUCATIONS WITH BROAD ORIENTATION TO ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY. LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE CENTRALIZED AND STANDARDIZED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AT THE STATE LEVEL. MORE GRADATIONS SHOULD BE ADDED TO POLICE RANKS, WITH HIGHER PAY AT ALL LEVELS. POLICEWOMEN SHOULD BE USED FOR ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS FOR METER INSPECTIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL. GREATER CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME PREVENTION BY SUCH MEANS AS POLICE AUXILIARIES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. TEMPTATION FOR POLICE CORRUPTION SHOULD BE REDUCED BY LEGALIZING PROSTITUTION AND GAMBLING. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THESE AND OTHER OBJECTIVES AS MEANS OF INTEGRATING AND DEMOCRATIZING THE AMERICAN POLICEMAN.