POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY (FROM JUVENILE JUSTICE - THE HUMAN DIMENSION - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS, 1978, BY LADY BROWN AND JUNE BERRY - SEE NCJ-50131)

• NCJ Number: 50140
• Author(s): B ANDERSON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Junior League of Lubbock, Inc; Texas Cmtte for the Humanities and Public Policy; National Endowment for the Humanities
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE LINKAGE SYSTEM BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY IS DISCUSSED, AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS ARE SUGGESTED.

Abstract

THE COMMUNITY INFLUENCES IN THE LINKAGE SYSTEM BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC ARE THE FAMILY, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, AND INDIVIDUAL AND COALITION ACTIONS. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS APPEAR TO PLAY THE LARGEST ROLE IN DELINQUENCY BEHAVIOR IN STABLE AND AFFLUENT COMMUNITIES, AND PEER RELATIONSHIPS INFLUENCE SUCH BEHAVIOR IN POOR AND HIGH CRIME COMMUNITIES. THERE ARE SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS OPERATING IN SOME STATES, AND THESE PROGRAMS HAVE POTENTIAL FOR ASSISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT. INDIVIDUAL COOPERATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS EVIDENCED BY INCREASED CRIME REPORTING, LABELING OF COMMONLY STOLEN ITEMS TO COMPLICATE RESALE, CITIZEN PATROLLING, AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION. MANY STATES HAVE FORMED COALITION EFFORTS TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND TO ORGANIZE AND LOBBY FOR CRIME PREVENTION. POLICE CAN IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH INCREASED VISIBILITY OF THE NONPUNITIVE ASPECTS OF THE POLICE ROLE AND BY MAKING GREATER EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ARRESTED INDIVIDUALS. IMPROVED POLICE TRAINING SHOULD BE STRESSED TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE JOB, AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BETWEEN POLICE AND THE CITIZENRY SHOULD BE PROMOTED. (DAG)