NCJ Number
152973
Date Published
1994
Length
105 pages
Annotation
The role of the police in the future is explored.
Abstract
These documents examine the results of a study that examined the role of municipal law enforcement and what role changes will be needed by the year 2003. Through the use of futures methodology, trends and events of the future are identified and probability forecast. Methodology includes a futures wheel, modified Delphi, brainstorming, nominal group technique, trend and event graphing, cross-impact analysis, and situational analysis to create a basis for the strategic plan. Scenarios are written depicting the least favorable, most likely, and most desirable futures based on the previous forecasts. Findings of the study reveal that: the role of law enforcement is going to be in a constant state of evolution; fiscal constraints are going to eliminate business as usual; a move toward community-oriented policing will help to facilitate the partnerships that will be needed in the communities of the future; and the privatization of services will become more widespread, supporting job-specific hiring and job-matching. These suggestions are encouraged and supported through policy recommendations to facilitate a symbiotic relationship between law enforcement and the community. Law enforcement will become the facilitator for services in the community of the future. Tables, graphs, illustrations, references, and a bibliography are included