NCJ Number
105386
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1987) Pages: 37-42
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The police in India should shift from a law enforcement orientation to a focus on public safety services to citizens.
Abstract
Because of the low percentage of property crimes solved and stolen property recovered, police should reduce the deployment of resources in this area. A more fruitful use of police resources would be the education of citizens in burglary prevention. This should not only help reduce burglaries but improve cooperative relationships between police and citizens. Police patrols should focus on geographic areas where public order is threatened, such as communities at high risk for riots. Police should teach citizens to patrol their own neighborhoods, preserve crime scenes, and minister to crime victims until the police arrive. The widespread corruption in traffic policing has undermined public confidence in traffic police. Traffic control might be transferred to civilian voluntary agencies under the supervision of traffic experts. The police would only be called to investigate serious accidents and control crowds. The police role should also consist of aiding ex-offenders in community reintegration and of remedying some of the social conditions that contribute to crime. 10 references.