NCJ Number
61004
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 102-109
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS AUSTRALIAN ARTICLE DISCUSSES WAYS IN WHICH POLICE, POLICE ADMINISTRATORS, AND GOVERNMENT FOSTER OR DETRACT FROM THE POLICE'S IMAGE TO THE PUBLIC.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE IMAGE OF A POLICE FORCE IS ULTIMATELY DETERMINED BY HOW INDIVIDUAL POLICE DO THEIR DUTY OR TREAT CITIZENS, SEVERAL OTHER FACTORS AFFECT IMAGE OR HOW POLICE MAY BEHAVE. THE GOVERNMENT MUST ASSURE ADEQUATE REMUNERATION, GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS, AND PROPER EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND STAFF. THE INDEPENDENCE OF POLICE MUST ALSO BE ESTABLISHED BY LAW; THUS, POLICE MUST NEITHER BE DRAWN INTO POLITICS NOR PREVENTED FROM ENFORCING LAWS IMPARTIALLY. POLICE ADMINISTRATORS MUST BE EFFICIENT, SINCE IMPROVING POLICE IMAGE IS A TEAM EFFORT. HARMONY AND RESPECT BETWEEN POLICE PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATORS CLEARLY AFFECTS ATTITUDES AND EFFICIENCY, AND THE PUBLIC WILL RESPECT MOST AN ORDERLY BODY OF PROFESSIONALS. POLICE ADMINISTRATORS MAY ALSO IMPROVE THE FORCE'S IMAGE BY ENSURING PROPER TRAINING, STAFFING, AND EQUIPMENT FOR OPERATIONS, KEEPING ABREAST OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS, KEEPING CITIZENS INFORMED ABOUT POLICE ACTIVITY, AND TREATING FAIRLY THEIR COMPLAINTS ABOUT POLICE. POLICE ADMINISTRATORS, LIKE GOVERNMENT, HELP IMPROVE THE FORCE'S IMAGE BY FULFILLING CERTAIN PRECONDITIONS; AFTER THIS, RESPONSIBILITY DEVOLVES UPON EVERY MEMBER OF THE FORCE. GOOD BEHAVIOR AND EXTRA DUTIES UNDERTAKEN OFF-DUTY ALSO ENHANCE THE POLICE IMAGE; OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER THEMSELVES POLICE AMBASSADORS AND TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR SERVICE AND COMMUNITY. A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (PAP)