WHY THE POLICE CANNOT STOP CRIME - A CALL FOR POLICE REORGANIZATION (FROM CRITICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1979, BY R G IACOVETTA AND DAE H CHANG - SEE NCJ-63717)

• NCJ Number: 63729
• Author(s): J A FAGIN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: Carolina Academic Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

UNREALISTIC DEMANDS ON POLICE RESOURCES MAKE CRIME PREVENTION DIFFICULT. THE SOCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES LEADING TO THESE DEMANDS ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

THE DIVISION OF TIME BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE AS A DETERRENT TO CRIME AND ERODES PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, SINCE IT FORCES THE POLICE TO PERFORM TASKS FOR WHICH THEY ARE NOT TRAINED. THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES DEMANDED BY THE PUBLIC. THESE INCLUDE SOLVING DOMESTIC PROBLEMS, ANSWERING CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION, AND MAINTAINING ORDER. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING DOES NOT EQUIP THE POLICE OFFICER WITH THE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS NEEDED TO HANDLE MANY OF THESE COMMUNITY PROBLEMS. THE RESULTING ROLE CONFLICT DOES DAMAGE TO THE POLICE OFFICER'S SELF-IMAGE, LEADING TO FRUSTRATION AND JOB DISSATISFACTION. RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS INCLUDE REDUCTION OF NON-LAW-ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES; REORGANIZATION OF POLICE AGENCIES, WITH NEW AGENCIES TO HANDLE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC TO MORE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS CONCERNING POLICE SERVICES. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)