NCJ Number
99244
Date Published
1985
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The author, the Houston police chief, is committed to the following principles: (1) police collaboration with the community in planning operations and evaluating performance, (2) total departmental involvement in police-community relations, and (3) power sharing with the community.
Abstract
The police chief sets the example and creates the atmosphere for departmental interest in developing police-community relationships. Informing the public about crime causes and police limitations in addressing those causes without citizen cooperation can motivate the community toward a collective sense of responsibility for crime control. Police chiefs are responsible for developing structures and procedures that facilitate citizen input for departmental operations. Houston has instituted a Police-Community Positive Interaction program, having as its primary goal the development of police and citizen awareness of their respective roles and responsibilities in maintaining public order. A police advisory committee, composed of representatives of citywide organizations, advises the chief on programs, policies, and procedures that affect police-community relations. Citizens may also provide continuous input for police policymaking in the areas of personnel allocation, selective enforcement, and patrol levels in particular neighborhoods. Collaborative structures and procedures must provide for police-citizen proactive as well as reactive planning and facilitate police work with existing community organizations and the establishment of new neighborhood organizations. Community outreach programs should involve the chart indicates strategies of the Houston police department to improve police-community cooperation. Five notes are provided.