POLICE FUNCTIONS PERIPHERAL TO THE TASK OF PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING CRIME (FROM POLICE PATROL READINGS, 2D ED. 1970, BY SAMUEL G CHAPMAN - SEE NCJ-01974)

• NCJ Number: 15157
• Author(s): H GOLDSTEIN
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE NATURE OF PERIPHERAL FUNCTIONS, THE CURRENT TREND TO DIVEST THE POLICE OF THESE FUNCTIONS, AND REASONS WHY SUCH POLICE FUNCTIONS MAY BE APPROPRIATE ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

TWO TYPES OF PERIPHERAL FUNCTIONS ARE FIRST DEFINED. THERE ARE THOSE OF AN ISOLATED NATURE PERFORMED AT ONLY SPECIFIC TIMES IN THE YEAR, SUCH AS CONDUCTING A SCHOOL CENSUS, OR THOSE INTEGRATED IN DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTIONS, SUCH AS FIRST AID OR TRAFFIC CONTROL. THOSE WHO ASSUME THAT THE PRIMARY GOAL OF POLICE IS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL CRIME ARGUE FOR ELIMINATION OF THESE ACTIVITIES. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THIS WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR SMALLER DEPARTMENTS WHICH SPEND RELATIVELY LITTLE TIME IN CRIME CONTROL AND COULD HARM POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN LARGER CITIES. OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE EFFECTS AN INCREASING ROLE OF POLICE DISCRETION WOULD HAVE ON THE ASSIGNMENT OF PERIPHERAL DUTIES, AND POLICE INVESTIGATIONS IN RELATION TO THESE DUTIES ARE DISCUSSED. THE USE OF NONPROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE TO CONDUCT THESE DUTIES IS PRESENTED AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.