NCJ Number
65305
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 139-153
Date Published
1979
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE BY AN AUSTRALIAN INSPECTOR OF POLICE DISCUSSES RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE POLICE, THE MEDIA, AND THE COMMUNITY AND RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS TO PROMOTE POLICE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
Abstract
BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE VIEWS OF THE MEDIA ARE PRESENTED AND GOOD POLICE-MEDIA RELATIONS ARE SEEN AS ESSENTIAL. SUGGESTIONS FOR MAINTAINING THESE RELATIONS INCLUDE POLICE TRAINING AND ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH TO HANDLE NEWS DISSEMINATION AND INTERVIEWS. THE CHANGING AND COMPLEX ROLE OF THE POLICE IS DESCRIBED AND INCLUDES THE PROBLEM OF MOBILE POLICING AND THE RESULTING PSYCHOLOGICAL SEPARATION, AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME CONTROL AND SOCIAL ORDER. AREAS THAT INFLUENCE POLICE EFFECTIVENESS ARE OUTLINED, INCLUDING RECRUITMENT STANDARDS, SCREENING PROCESSES, POLICE TRAINING, AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. POLICE ARE VIEWED AS ABLE TO ASSIST CITIZENS IN CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES, IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, IN DEVELOPING BETTER RAPPORT WITH MINORITY GROUPS SUCH AS ABORIGINES, AND IN DOMESTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION. IN ADDITION, CLOSER POLICE-COMMUNITY CONTACT THROUGH OTHER POLICE DUTIES SUCH AS FOOD RELIEF ISSUES AND MOTOR REGISTRY WORK IS ADVOCATED. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE INTENSIFIED AND EXTENDED POLICE TRAINING IN CRITICAL SOCIAL AREAS, A REGULAR CRITICAL REVIEW OF OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, AND REGULAR PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEYS. MINORITY GROUP RECRUITMENT, UNIFORMED POLICE NAMEPLATES, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION IN CRIME PREVENTION ARE ALSO SUGGESTED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)