NCJ Number
54652
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE APPROPRIATE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE TRAINING OF POLICE OFFICERS, AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS IN THE AREA OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE ADDRESSED.
Abstract
PROJECT STAR (SYSTEMS AND TRAINING ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTICIPANTS) IDENTIFIED 13 POLICE ROLES: ASSISTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATE AGENCY PERSONNEL; BUILDING RESPECT FOR LAW AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; PROVIDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; SEEKING AND DISSEMINATING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING; COLLECTING, ANALYZING, AND COMMUNICATING INFORMATION; MANAGING CASES; ASSISTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT; DISPLAYING OBJECTIVITY AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS; PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF INDIVIDUALS; PROVIDING HUMANE TREATMENT; ENFORCING THE LAW IMPARTIALLY; ENFORCING THE LAW SITUATIONALLY; AND MAINTAINING ORDER. BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS PRIMARILY A LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY, ITS QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS ARE ESTABLISHED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND CITIZENS. THE STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ON A STATEWIDE OR INTERJURISDICTIONAL BASIS AND CAN AID LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN CARRYING OUT THEIR PRIME RESPONSIBILITIES. THE STATE OF GEORGIA CERTIFIES APPROXIMATELY 1,500 POLICE OFFICERS ANNUALLY WHO HAVE COMPLIED WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. A LEGISLATIVE BASE FOR POLICE TRAINING HAS BEEN PROVIDED THROUGH THE ENACTMENT OF THE GEORGIA PEACE OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING ACT IN 1970. THIS ACT MANDATED TRAINING AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS FOR PEACE OFFICERS AND CREATED THE GEORGIA PEACE OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL. CRIME PREVENTION IS ONE OF THE PRIME MISSIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALL STATES, EVEN THOUGH THIS ASPECT OF THE POLICE ROLE HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT NEGLECTED. IN 1971, THE LEAA FUNDED THE NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE IN KENTUCKY. ANOTHER AGENCY INVOLVED IN CRIME PREVENTION IS THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS. THIS COMMISSION OFFERS THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS: THAT STATES REVIEW CRIMINAL STATUTES DEALING WITH GAMBLING, MARIHUANA USE AND POSSESSION FOR SALE, PORNOGRAPHY, PROSTITUTION, AND SEXUAL ACTS; THAT STATES DECENTRALIZE DRUNKENNESS AND VAGRANCY AND DISPOSE OF MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES ADMINISTRATIVELY RATHER THAN THROUGH THE COURTS; THAT STATES WHOSE CODES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED WITHIN THE PAST DECADE INITIATE COMPLETE REVISION, INCLUDING IF NECESSARY A REVISED PENALTY STRUCTURE; AND THAT STATES CREATE CRIMINAL LAW COMMISSIONS TO REVIEW LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WITH CRIMINAL PENALTIES. THE COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT LEGISLATION EXTEND PRISON SENTENCES UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 25 YEARS FOR THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME WITH A HANDGUN IN LIEU OF MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING. RELATIONSHIPS AMONG LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WITH REGARD TO CRIME PREVENTION AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS AND GOALS PERTINENT TO IMPROVING THE POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)