NCJ Number
69160
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE CHAPTER OUTLINES THE COMPONENTS OF AN ALMOST COST FREE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEX., WHICH IS BASED ON AN ATTITUDE OF SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AND RESPONSE TO ITS NEEDS.
Abstract
THERE IS BOTH A NEED FOR A COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY WITH CONSTITUENTS AND A RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF THE TAXPAYER TO FUND A SEPARATE ENTITY. THIS IS OVERCOME BY SEEING TO IT THAT THE WHOLE OFFICE FUNCTIONS AS A COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM AT ALL TIMES. COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE EXTEND TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND THE LEGISLATURE, AS WELL AS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE SHOULD ESTABLISH GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE COMMUNITIES THROUGH LECTURING AND TRAINING AT POLICE ACADEMIES AND THROUGH SERVICES OF EXPERT TESTIMONY AND BILL DRAFTING. PROSECUTORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE EDUCATION OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR STUDENTS THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS, COURTHOUSE VISITS, AND PUBLICATIONS AND FILMS. A PROSECUTOR SHOULD ASSUME LEADERSHIP IN PROVIDING PUBLIC SERVICE NOTICES TO THE MEDIA TO IMPRESS ON THE COMMUNITY THE NEED FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN ANTI-CRIME PROGRAMS. THE OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAMS AIMED AT THE ADULT POPULATION IS TO INFORM ADULTS ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH DIRECT CONTACTS AND PUBLICATIONS, TO PUBLICIZE OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE (HOT CHECKS, CONSUMER FRAUD, CHILD SUPPORT, ETC.), AND TO TRAIN THE PUBLIC FOR SERVICE ON GRAND JURIES AND AS WITNESSES. SUCH A COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM BASED ON ATTITUDES AND REQUIRING MINIMAL FUNDING IS ONE THAT BEST SERVES BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE PROSECUTOR. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 69153, 69154, 69156, 69157, 69158, 69161.