NCJ Number
74589
Date Published
1980
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The effects of recent changes in methods of Canadian police work are discussed, with attention to police-community cooperation in investigating crimes.
Abstract
Over the years new technology and techniques have been introduced in police work, but police effectiveness has not improved because until recently no effort had been made to improve police-community relations. The classical approach to police work emphasizes bureaucratic hierarchical organization; work specialization; centralized authority; ritualized procedures; and discipline. This system is effective in very stable situations but is inflexible in the face of changing local demands which require efforts beyond written procedures. For serious crimes such as drug trafficking, homicide, and fraud, police under the classic system follow a set pattern of investigation independent of community assistance to preserve elements of proof necessary for court convictions. This remains the most common form of police organization. However, a recent form of police organization, police surveillance by local teams, focuses on localized units, emphasizing decentralized authority, crime prevention, good community relations, and the work of generalists rather than specialists. Instead of using rules, regulations, and conformity to achieve goals, the local team system tailors the approach to fit the particular set of circumstances, using both classic and community methods. Under the classic system, the police are preoccupied with questions of efficiency and conformity, while in the local team system the police seek to find long-range solutions to a broad range of problems. Police management is thus directly involved in the process of selecting strategies for solutions. Instead of treating each case on an individual basis but in an impersonal manner, police team surveillance attempts to analyze the environment of the problem (e.g., crime in a residential complex). The police administration must then identify the person responsible for control in a given environment and determine what measures should be taken, either by the police or other organizations. Legislation is required on the Federal, Provincial and local levels to establish the roles of the various agencies involved. Furthermore, the system can only function if each citizen assumes responsibility for maintaining order. Finally, police administrators, researchers, and decisionmakers must keep track of social developments and continue to develop strategies in keeping with changing needs. Notes and 11 references are supplied. --in French.