NCJ Number
115900
Journal
Social Justice Volume: 15 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (Fall-Winter 1988) Pages: 179-196
Date Published
1988
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The research process used in conducting studies of neighborhood history for a graduate course in police-community relations had a positive impact on the police and probation officers enrolled in the course.
Abstract
The course was part of a master's program at Southern Illinois University about 250 miles northeast of Memphis, Tenn. The students each examined a particular Memphis neighborhood to gain experience in thinking through the specific historical and economic reasons for problems in police-community relations. Students were asked to propose a plan to specifically address the problems found in their particular neighborhood. They analyzed neighborhood histories since 1920, focusing on movements of various ethnic groups in and out of the neighborhoods, the economy and politics, cultural activities, and conflicts and tensions affecting police-community relations. The students worked in teams and gathered information from interviews with residents and patrolling police, census data, newspaper clippings, city directories, books, and articles. The process helped police understand background factors and their links with current problems. In addition, the interactions with neighborhood residents and the visible demonstration of interest in producing something of value to the neighborhood will have positive impacts. Notes and 14 references.