NCJ Number
46348
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 33 Dated: (1977) Pages: 45-52
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY LOCAL NATURE OF POLICE UNITS IN THE U.S.A., IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GENERALIZE ABOUT 'THE POLICE,' BUT TRENDS CAN BE DISCERNED BY EXAMINING THE LARGER FORCES; THESE TRENDS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
HISTORICALLY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS DISTRUSTED CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY, AND THERE IS NO NATIONAL POLICE FORCE. EVEN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, POLICING IS FRAGMENTED AMONG NEIGHBORHING JURISDICTIONS AND MUNICIPAL VERSUS COUNTY POLICE. THESE LOCAL DEPARTMENTS EMPLOY 80 PERCENT OF ALL POLICE OFFICERS, WITH THE REMAINDER ALLOCATED TO STATE, COUNTY, AND NATIONAL AGENCIES. HOWEVER, STUDYING THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHICH EMPLOY MORE THAN 300 OFFICERS CAN GIVE A CLUE TO TRENDS IN THE U.S. SUCH DEPARTMENTS TOTAL ONLY 3 PERCENT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE U.S. BUT CONTAIN 47 PERCENT OF THE NATION'S POLICE OFFICERS AND SERVE 26 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. THESE DEPARTMENTS UNDERWENT STRONG MOVES TOWARD CENTRALIZATION AND EFFICIENCY IN THE 1950'S. A MILITARY STYLE OF ORGANIZATION WAS DEVELOPED; THE IDEAL OFFICER WAS UNEMOTIONAL, ADHERED CLOSELY TO DEPARTMENTAL POLICY, AND WAS PROFESSIONAL IN APPROACH. THE 1960'S SAW VAST SOCIAL CHANGE, THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, INCREASING CALLS FOR SERVICE, INCREASING CONFLICT, AND COMMUNITY DEMANDS THAT DIRECTLY CONFLICTED WITH DEPARTMENT STANDARDS. WHILE POLICE DEPARTMENTS FREQUENTLY ROTATED OFFICERS AND HAD LOCUS OF CONTROL IN AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DOWNTOWN. NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS SAID THAT OFFICERS SHOULD BE PERMANENTLY ASSIGNED TO AN AREA AND CONTROL NEEDED TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WHILE DEPARTMENT HEADS HAD BEEN PUSHING FOR HIGHER ENTRANCE STANDARDS, NEIGHBORHOODS, PARTICULARLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS, ASKED THAT STANDARDS BE LOWERED TO PUT MORE MINORITIES ON THE FORCE. THIS MOVEMENT HAS LED TO REASSESSMENT OF THE TOTAL POLICE FUNCTION. NOW, INSTEAD OF SEEING DOMESTIC CRISIS CALLS AND OTHER NONCRIME CALLS AS NOT WITHIN THE POLICE FUNCTION, SPECIAL TRAINING IS BEING GIVEN FOR SUCH WORK BECAUSE THE VIEW OF POLICE FUNCTION IS BEING BROADENED. POLICE ARE TAKING A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION, WORK WITH JUVENILES, AND SERVICE ACTIVITIES. THE POLICE ARE ALSO FACING THE FACT THAT 71 PERCENT OF ALL HOMICIDES ARE COMMITTED BY PERSONS WHO KNOW THE VICTIM, DURING MOMENTS OF GREAT TENSION, AND, USUALLY, INSIDE A BUILDING. THERE IS LITTLE THE POLICE CAN DO TO PREVENT SUCH CRIMES. THE POLICE ARE, THEREFORE, CONCENTRATING ON CRIMES WHICH CAN BE PREVENTED. ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALSO BEING EMPHASIZED. MAYORS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE BECOMING CONCERNED WITH POLICE ACTIVITIES. THE POLICE OFFICERS THEMSELVES ARE BEING TRAINED TO RESPECT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICT. CONTINUED EDUCATION, GREATER POSSIBILITY TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND A MORE RESPONSIVE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE ALL ARE TRENDS FOR POLICE IN THE U.S.A. TODAY. (GLR)