NCJ Number
60604
Journal
Revue de droit penal et de criminologie Volume: 59 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 3-12
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
RECENT DEMANDS FOR A SPECIAL PREVENTIVE POLICE RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE INTENSE INVOLVEMENT ON THE PART OF EXISTING POLICE FORCES IN CRIME PREVENTION.
Abstract
CRIME PREVENTION, AS CONCEIVED BY THE MAKERS OF CRIMINAL POLICY, HAS TWO MAIN GOALS: (1) A GENERAL PREVENTIVE EFFORT AND (2) THE PREVENTION OF RECIDIVISM. IN TERMS OF GENERAL PREVENTION, POLICE ARE IN AN ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION FOR ALERTING AUTHORITIES TO AREAS (SUBWAY STATIONS, SHOPPING CENTERS) WHICH THROUGH THEIR INADEQUATE PROTECTION PRESENT A SECURITY HAZARD. SIMILARLY, TO ALLEVIATE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CRIME, THE POLICE CAN REPORT SOCIAL CONDITIONS (DRUG ADDICTION, EXTREME POVERTY) WHICH FAVOR CRIME TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES WHO, INDEPENDENT OF THE POLICE, THEN TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION. IN THE PREVENTION OF RECIDIVISM, THE POLICE CAN BRING FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO AN OFFENDER'S PREVIOUS DELINQUENCY TO THE ATTENTION OF COURT AUTHORITIES AND TAKE AN ADVISORY POSITION IN PAROLE AND PROBATION DECISIONS BY DESCRIBING THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT TO WHICH AN OFFENDER WILL RETURN. BEYOND THE FIELD OF IMMEDIATE PREVENTION, THE POLICE CAN CONTROL COURT-IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS OF PRIVILEGES (DRIVING RESTRICTIONS, RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISING PARTICULAR PROFESSIONS). IN SUMMARY, THE POLICE CAN ASSUME IMPORTANT PREVENTIVE FUNCTIONS PRIMARILY BY CHANNELING RELEVANT INFORMATION TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES. IN ORDER TO FULLY PROFIT FROM THIS ALERTING CAPABILITY, POLICY-MAKERS MUST ISSUE APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES. IN ADDITION, THE POLICE WILL NEED THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE POPULATION WHICH CAN BEST BE INSURED BY A COURTEOUS, WELL-TRAINED AND UNDERSTANDING POLICE FORCE. THE ARTICLE PROVIDES A FEW REFERENCES. --IN FRENCH. (SAJ)