IMPROVING POLICE RELATIONS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY (FROM BLACKS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1977 BY CHARLES E OWENS AND JIMMY BELL - SEE NCJ-43091)

• NCJ Number: 45045
• Author(s): L A SWAN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: D C Heath and Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A STRUCTURE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS BY INCREASING BOTH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN POLICE PROGRAMS AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY IS OUTLINED.

Abstract

MOST PROGRAMS RELATED TO POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS ARE AIMED TOWARD CHANGING ATTITUDES, PERCEPTIONS, AND BEHAVIOR OF POLICEMEN; THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY TO SOLVE CONSTRUCTIVELY ITS OWN POLICE-COMMUNITY PROBLEMS. SOME STRUCTURE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH IS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT NOT ONLY DOES THE COMMUNITY NEED PROTECTION FROM CRIMINALS, BUT ALSO FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO COMMIT CRIMES AGAINST THE COMMUNITY. THOSE CONCERNED BLACK COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LACK THE POWER TO CONTROL CRIME IN THEIR AREAS OFTEN USE THE TECHNIQUE OF NONINVOLVEMENT TO COPE WITH THE CRIME PROBLEM. YET, IF THESE PERSONS BELIEVED THAT THEY WERE PROTECTED FROM DANGER, THEY MIGHT BE STIMULATED TO BECOME INVOLVED AND CONTRIBUTE TO A DECREASE IN THE CRIME RATE. THERE ARE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES IN WHICH BLACK COMMUNITY MEMBERS PLACE THE CAUSES OF CRIME: (1) INADEQUATE OR INAPPROPRIATE FAMILY SOCIALIZATION; (2) POVERTY; AND (3) POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC OPPRESSION OF BLACK COMMUNITIES BY THE EXTERNAL WHITE COMMUNITY. ACCORDINGLY, TWO TYPES OF CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS GENERALLY RECOMMENDED ARE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND CONTROL OF THE COMMUNITY BY ITS MEMBERS. THERE IS LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE IN CONTROLLING CRIME IN BLACK COMMUNITIES. THEREFORE, THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY MECHANISM SHOULD BE SUCH THAT IT CAN HELP AUGMENT POLICE-CITIZEN INTERACTION TO ENHANCE COURTEOUS BEHAVIOR TOWARD COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCREASE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENTS OCCURRING IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ENCOURAGE INTERACTION WITH MEMBERS OF THAT COMMUNITY WHICH THE POLICE ARE SERVING. AN AREA POLICE AGENCY SHOULD: (1) BE PHYSICALLY LOCATED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND BE STAFFED BY POLICEMEN WHO LIVE WITHIN IT; (2) INCLUDE SOCIAL RELATIONS PROGRAMS AND A PROCESS FOR RESOLVING RESIDENT COMPLAINTS; (3) PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS FOR CITIZENS TO MEET EACH POLICEMAN WHO WORKS IN THE AREA; AND (4) REQUIRE EACH OFFICER TO SUBMIT A MONTHLY REPORT DESCRIBING HIS/HER CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES. A SUPERVISORY BOARD SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO OVERSEE THE AREA AGENCY.