POLICE AND THE UNIVERSITY - ONE CASE STUDY OF A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS (FROM COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES ...., BY L SILBERSTEIN AND T EISENBERG - SEE NCJ-59879)

• NCJ Number: 59886
• Author(s): M A PATE
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: National Conference of Christians and Jews, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CASE STUDY OF AN UNSATISFACTORY POLICE-UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION SHOWS THAT POOR COMMUNICATIONS, LACK OF CLEARLY DEFINED GOALS, AND AN INABILITY TO PUT RESULTS OF RESEARCH INTO USABLE FORM CONTRIBUTED TO FAILURE.

Abstract

THE PROJECT WAS STARTED ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER MAJOR DEPARTMENTAL CHANGES, SO THERE WAS A DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE RESULTS. NEITHER THE POLICE NOR THE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS COULD TAKE TIME TO MEET EACH OTHER AS INDIVIDUALS OR AS MEMBERS OF AN ORGANIZATION. NOT ENOUGH TIME WAS GIVEN TO COMMUNICATION BY EITHER SIDE. THE POLICE CHIEF WAS TOO BUSY TO DEMAND MEETINGS AND THE RESEARCHERS DID NOT ASK FOR FREQUENT FEEDBACK. AS A RESULT, DRAFT COPIES OF THE REPORTS WERE UNSATISFACTORY. RESEARCHERS BECOME DEFENSIVE AND, BY THE TIME THE PROJECT WAS OVER, BOTH SIDES HAD NEGATIVE VIEWS OF COLLABORATION. POLICE AGENCIES SHOULD GET TO KNOW VARIOUS RESEARCHERS--BOTH ACADEMIC AND PRIVATE--BEFORE THE NEED FOR A CONSULTANT ARISES. THUS, POLICE ADMINISTRATORS WILL HAVE SOME IDEA OF THE TYPES OF WORK EACH CAN DO AND OF THE PERSONALITIES INVOLVED. THE RESEARCHERS ALSO SHOULD ATTEMPT TO GET TO KNOW AS MANY MEMBERS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS POSSIBLE AND FREQUENT MEETINGS SHOULD BE HELD. FEEDBACK SHOULD COME EARLY AND OFTEN. RESEARCHERS ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS NEED PRACTICAL RESULTS. A POPULAR AND TECHNICAL REPORT OFTEN MEET THE TWIN NEEDS OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND THEORETICAL DOCUMENTATION. (GLR)