NCJ Number
7515
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 39 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1972) Pages: 68-73
Date Published
1972
Length
6 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF POLICE ATTITUDES TOWARD COMMUNICATION WITH SPECIFIC CITIZEN GROUPS, IN SPECIFIC SITUATIONS, AND TOWARD COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE COMMON CONCEPTION THAT POLICE EXPERIENCE GREATEST DIFFICULTY IN COMMUNICATING WITH MINORITY GROUPS WAS FOUND TO BE TRUE REGARDLESS OF THE RACE OF THE POLICE OFFICER. DIFFICULTY OF COMMUNICATION IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS SEEMS TO VARY ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT. THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATION IN WHICH TO COMMUNICATE WAS PERCEIVED BY RESPONDING OFFICERS AS CALMING AN UNRULY CROWD. PERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS WAS REMARKABLY UNIFORM ACROSS THE ENTIRE POLICE SPECTRUM, WITH ALMOST NO VARIATION RESULTING FROM DIFFERENCES IN OFFICERS AGE, RANK, LENGTH OF SERVICE, OR EDUCATIONAL LEVEL. OVER 40 PERCENT OF THE POLICE FELT THE PUBLIC DID NOT SUPPORT THEM. THEY CITED THE MAJOR REASON FOR THIS LACK OF SUPPORT AS BEING THAT CITIZENS DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POLICE. THIS FINDING WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE A REAL NEED TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP METHODS OF COMMUNICATION THAT WOULD BRING GROUPS OF CITIZENS IN FACE -TO-FACE CONTACT WITH POLICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) MODIFIED