NCJ Number
102521
Date Published
1986
Length
285 pages
Annotation
Document reviews and interviews with 17 executives of police agencies and other organizations in Washington State formed the basis of a description and analysis of 2 statewide planning processes conducted by police chief executive officers.
Abstract
The interviews took place between August 1984 and February 1985. The police executives agreed that the public should be involved in determining the standards for the delivery of police services. They also said that they should be involved with educating the public about law enforcement and that it was important for them to develop an effective working relationship with the news media. They noted police executives' involvement with politics, but cautioned about problems connected with this involvement. They recommended a focus on the needs of the total community and said that police executives should not become advocates for special interest groups or individuals. They expected that by drafting plans that were accurate, reasonable, and good public policy, they would be able to provide more effective police service to the community and would enhance the credibility of law enforcement. A description of the planning process, with emphasis on efforts to change the State law on the use of lethal force by police officers, is included. Recommendations, appendixes presenting interview instrument and related materials, and 278 references. (Author abstract modified)