NCJ Number
52706
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 17-23
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIES OF THE LONDON, ENGLAND, METROPOLITAN POLICE IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE HISTORY OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIES IN THE LONDON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TRACED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE LONDON POLICE ALWAYS HAVE REGARDED THEMSELVES AS 'CITIZENS IN UNIFORM.' THE FOUNDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT EXPECTED EVERY OFFICER TO BE AWARE OF THE NEED FOR GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND TO ACT ACCORDINGLY. HOWEVER, THE SOCIAL CHANGE THAT FOLLOWED WORLD WAR II MADE IT NECESSARY FOR THE METROPOLITAN POLICE TO FORMALIZE THEIR COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIES IN AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE MISUNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC THAT WERE CAUSING POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS TO DETERIORATE. DURING THIS PROCESS OF FORMALIZATION, THE POLICE REDISCOVERED THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITY BY EVERY POLICE OFFICER. THE STRUCTURE OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS ORGANIZATION IS DESCRIBED, AS ARE THE TRAINING AND DUTIES OF DIVISIONAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BRANCH. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO EFFORTS BY THE METROPOLITAN POLICE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH ETHNIC MINORITIES. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE A 'HELP ON ARREST' PROGRAM, WHICH USES LIAISON OFFICERS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ARRESTED PERSONS FROM ETHNIC GROUPS, AND A PROGRAM OF OPEN HOUSES, DURING WHICH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TOUR POLICE STATIONS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE POLICE CONTRIBUTION TO REDUCING RACIAL TENSION IN THE COMMUNITY IS STRESSED. THE TENDENCY OF REMEDIAL ACTION BY POLICE TO BE INEFFECTIVE ONCE RACIAL CONFLICT HAS ERUPTED AND TO BRING CHARGES OF DISCRIMINATION FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICT IS NOTED. AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART DEPICTING THE METROPOLITAN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS STRUCTURE IS INCLUDED. (LKM)