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PROTECTING OUR NATIONAL COMMUNITY

NCJ Number
56978
Journal
Judicature Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1975) Pages: 192-196
Author(s)
C M KELLEY
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE TEXT OF AN ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN JUDICATURE SOCIETY AND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BAR PRESIDENTS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL CRIME PREVENTION PROJECTS ARE READILY OBTAINED, RELATIVELY FEW AMERICANS UNDERSTAND AND ADVOCATE THE NECESSARY ACTIVITIES OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) IN THE PRESERVATION OF NATIONAL SECURITY. THE FBI HAS ERRED IN NOT FULLY INFORMING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF THE FBI, AND OF THE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES SHOULD THE AGENCY NOT FULFILL ITS DUTY. ALTHOUGH NATIONAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS DICTATE FEWER RESTRAINTS BE PLACED UPON AGENCIES DEALING WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS, LAWFUL LIMITATIONS AND CONTINUED SCRUTINY ARE PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF ANY NATIONAL AGENCY, AND ARE WELCOMED BY THE FBI. MOREOVER, LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES LIKEWISE APPRECIATE THE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH OVERSIGHT, AND RECOGNIZE SUCH SCRUTINY AS A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF TRULY PROFESSIONAL POLICE WORK. CRIME PREVENTION DEPENDS ON REALISTIC GOALS THAT ARE UNDERSTOOD BY BOTH POLICE AND THE CITIZENS. AT BOTH THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS EVERYONE MUST PARTICIPATE TO ESTABLISH LAWS WHICH REFLECT THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. THE EXPERTISE OF ATTORNEYS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IS ESPECIALLY REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND FAIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (TWK)