NCJ Number
118564
Journal
Policing Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 48-58
Date Published
1989
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A British chief constable reports on his perceptions of a U.S. seminar that examined policing in the year 2000.
Abstract
One theme focused on police and communities, examining the community's demand for increased input for policing priorities in accordance with community expectations. Regarding crime and policing, the seminar criticized traditional reactive policing, favoring a trend toward proactive policing designed to deter and prevent crime. A focus on the fear of crime noted both its constructive (increased community involvement in crime prevention) and destructive (isolation and demoralization) effects. The seminar discussed various strategies to address fear of crime. The seminar participants noted the negative aspects of the trend toward police departmental independent and professional autonomy, as this tends to weaken cooperation with private police and other community institutions. The seminar participants concluded that the police must remain loyal to the values inherent in traditional policing while embracing a closer dialogue and working relationship with the community. The seminar suggested that community policing, rather than reducing police accountability, can enhance it through such methods as auditing, peer control, and a reward system. Regarding values in policing, participants noted that written value statements are useful in helping produce uniformity and consistency between management and line officers in the use of discretion.