NCJ Number
54825
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 63-66
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE EVOLUTION AND MAINTENANCE OF CLOSED LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITIES ARE DISCUSSED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALLEVIATING THIS PROBLEM ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CLOSED SOCIETY HAS EVOLVED FROM EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL PRESSURES. THE EXTERNAL PRESSURES ARE THOSE STEMMING FROM EXPECTATIONS AND NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND STATE AND FEDERAL MANDATES. THE CITIZENRY FORM AN INFORMAL EXTERNAL PRESSURE AREA. THEY DEMAND THAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY COMPLETE ITS AUTHORIZED PURPOSES JUST AS LONG AS THE CITIZENRY ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED OR UNJUSTLY CONFRONTED BY THAT AGENCY. ANOTHER SOURCE OF EXTERNAL PRESSURE IS THE REQUIREMENTS OF STATE AND FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. PRESSURES ARISE WHEN VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS WRITTEN FOR STATEWIDE OR NATIONAL APPLICATION HAVE NO MERIT OR REAL APPLICATION ON THE LOCAL LEVEL. INTERNAL PRESSURES STEM FROM WITHIN INDIVIDUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. PRESSURES DEVELOP FROM THE RIGID ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE AGENCY. THE TYPE OF SOCIAL CONTACTS LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL GENERALLY EXPERIENCE ALSO CREATE STRESS. BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS REFLECT INVOLVEMENT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON A DAILY BASIS AND GENERALLY IN A CORRECTIVE WAY, LEVELS OF ANIMOSITY ARE DEVELOPED. THE STRICT TRADITION THAT REIGNS WITHIN A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERPETUATION OF THE CLOSED SOCIETY, AND THUS THE LIMITED COMMUNICATION THAT OCCURS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND SOCIETY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT EACH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY DEVELOP ITS COMMUNICATION ABILITIES IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CLOSED SOCIETY. OPENNESS AND FRANKNESS SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED. IMMEDIATE ACTION IS URGED. (MLC)