NCJ Number
57155
Journal
New Community Volume: 6, Dated: (SUMMER 1978) Pages: 258-267
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS BRITISH ARTICLE DESCRIBES AND ANALYZES RECENT POLICE-WEST INDIAN RELATIONS AND COMPARES CURRENT POLICE PRACTICES WITH A PROFESSIONAL MODEL.
Abstract
DATA GATHERED OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD IN A MAJOR BRITISH INNER-CITY STATION WITH A LARGE WEST INDIAN POPULATION SUGGEST THAT THE PROFESSIONAL POLICE MODEL MAY NOT BE WORKING. THE MODEL WAS DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO THE NEED TO IMPROVE POLICE TRAINING AND PREVENT ILLEGAL POLICE QUESTIONING PRACTICES. IT EMPHASIZES (1) SOCIAL SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE IN POLICE TRAINING, PARTICULARLY IN RACE RELATIONS, (2) SPECIALIZED OFFICERS TO ESTABLISH CLOSE LINKS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, (3) USE OF POLICE TECHNOLOGY FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY, AND (4) THE IMPORTANCE OF POLICING WITHIN THE RULE OF LAW AND THE SLOW BUILDING UP OF EVIDENCE BEFORE ARREST. HOWEVER, CURRENT POLICE VALUES OF HIGH-SPEED DRIVING, HIGH ARREST AND CHARGE RATES, AND SECRECY AND CONTROL OVER TERRITORY AND PRISONERS CONFLICT WITH THE MODEL VALUES OF INFORMED, OPEN, AND ACCOUNTABLE POLICE PRACTICES. FURTHER, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT SUBORDINATES INFLUENCE THE POLICIES OF THEIR SENIOR OFFICERS, INSTEAD OF BEING INFLUENCED BY THEM. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE INCLUDE ESTABLISHING EXTERNAL AGENCIES TO CHECK POLICE ACTION AND IMPLEMENTING INDEPENDENT COMPLAINT AND MONITORING PROCEDURES. FURTHER STUDY OF POLICE ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS IS RECOMMENDED IN ESTABLISHING A MORE SENSITIVE, OPEN, AND ACCOUNTABLE POLICE FORCE. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AOP)