NCJ Number
46344
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 33 Dated: (1977) Pages: 11-16
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE CHANGING ROLES OF THE POLICE IN HUNGARY OVER THE PAST 200 YEARS ARE TRACED TO DOCUMENT THE INCREASING PROFESSIONALISM AND NARROWING OF RESPONSIBILITY WHICH ACCOMPANIES DEVELOPMENT.
Abstract
BEFORE WORLD WAR II, THE HUNGARIAN POLICE FORCE WAS RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY FOR PUBLIC ORDER BUT ALSO PUBLIC HYGIENE, PUBLIC HEALTH, BUILDING ACTIVITIES, AND TRADE. IN A POOR, AGRARIAN SOCIETY WITH FEW SOCIAL STRUCTURES, THE POLICE TOOK OVER ISSUING LICENSES FOR BEGGING, REGULATING ROOMING HOUSES, AND SETTLING LABOR DISPUTES. THIS WIDE-RANGING AUTHORITY OVER EVERYDAY AFFAIRS ENGENDERED A GREAT DEAL OF HOSTILITY TOWARD POLICE ON THE PART OF THE COMMON PEOPLE. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION WERE RAMPANT AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE ILL WILL. SINCE WORLD WAR II, HUNGARY HAS RAPIDLY MODERNIZED AND TODAY HAS MORE THAN HALF ITS LABOR FORCE IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR. THE EXTREME REPRESSION CHARACTERISTIC OF THE POLICE DURING HITLER'S INVASION MADE IT EASY FOR THE POST-WORLD WAR II GOVERNMENT TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE OLD POLICE FORCE AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW POLICE STRUCTURE WITH LIMITED AUTHORITY. LICENSING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES WERE PUT UNDER THE CONTROL OF APPROPRIATE CIVILIAN AGENCIES. THE NEW POLICE FORCE WAS LIMITED TO MATTERS OF PUBLIC ORDER, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND CONTROL, AND TRANSPORTATION REGULATION AND SAFETY. A FOUR-LEVEL TRAINING PROGRAM WAS SET UP; BASIC TRAINING OF POLICE OFFICERS, INTERMEDIATE TRAINING OF SUBOFFICERS. HIGHER TRAINING OF OFFICERS, AND EXTENSION TRAINING AND TRAINING OF COMMANDERS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACED TODAY IS THE RECRUITMENT OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. THIS DIFFICULTY IS COMPOUNDED BY THE LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE POLICE FOUND IN SOCIETY. IT IS HOPED THAT THE EXTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE THE POLICE IMAGE. IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE NEW INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES, WHICH ABANDON THE OLD CONTINENTAL ACCUSATORY ORIENTATION WITH ITS SECRECY OF PROCEEDINGS, WILL INSPIRE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. IMPROVED TECHNICAL METHODS HAVE ALREADY ENHANCED POLICE STANDING IN THE PUBLIC MIND. DURING THE OLD DAYS OF REPRESSIVE POLICE FUNCTION, IT WAS SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE A PASSIVE OR BENEVOLENTLY NEUTRAL ATTITUDE ON THE PART OF SOCIETY. IN A DEVELOPED COUNTRY, THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF SOCIETY IS NECESSARY IF THE POLICE ARE TO FULFILL THEIR FUNCTION. THIS MEANS THAT THE POLICE MUST INSPIRE CONFIDENCE AND CONVINCE ALL THEY MEET IN THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION THAT THEY ARE FAIR AND PROFESSIONAL. IT ALSO MEANS THAT THEY MUST HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE PRESS AND THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIETY. (GLR)