NCJ Number
15199
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 43 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1974) Pages: 2-9
Date Published
1974
Length
7 pages
Annotation
FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF A COLLEGE CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSOR'S SIX-MONTH EXPERIMENTAL TOUR OF DUTY AS A POLICE OFFICER IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR'S SECRETARY ASKED INCREDULOSLY, 'WHY, DR. KIRKHAM, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CLASS LOOKING LIKE THAT, ARE YOU?' THE CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSOR WAS NOT DISHEVELLED OR DIRTY. RATHER, HE WAS ATTIRED IN THE DARK BLUE UNIFORM OF A JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA POLICE OFFICER. 'WHY NOT, 'HE REPLIED TO THE QUERY, 'I'M PROUD TO BE A COP.' THE PRIDE THAT PROFESSOR KIRKHAM EXHIBITED BECAME INFUSED IN HIM OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD DURING WHICH HE WAS A ROOKIE PATROLMAN. ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT PAID FOR HIS EFFORTS, NONE OF THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS WERE OVERLOOKED OR EASED UP. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER POLICE TRAINEE IN FLORIDA, HE HAD TO COMPLETE A 280 HOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING COURSE. AT THE END OF THIS TRAINING PERIOD HE WAS ASSIGNED TO A PRECINCT IN THE INNER CITY THAT WAS CHARACTERIZED BY VIOLENCE, POVERTY, SOCIAL UNREST, AND HIGH CRIME RATES. HE WASN'T ON THE JOB FOR VERY LONG WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST HIS CLASSROOM THEORIES. HE TRIED TO REASON WITH AN UNRULY DRUNK AND NEARLY HAD HIS HEAD KNOCKED OFF FOR THE EFFORT. FORMERLY AN ADVOCATE OF PEACEFUL INTERVENTION, HE REALIZED THAT THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN VIOLENCE, OR THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE IS THE ONLY AVAILABLE METHOD OF DEALING WITH THREATS TO HIS OWN LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THE RECOUNTING OF SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS CAN LEAVE NO DOUBT IN THE READER'S MIND THAT PROFESSOR KIRKHAM UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFICULTY IN MAKING THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. (SNI ABSTRACT)