NCJ Number
191
Date Published
1968
Length
270 pages
Annotation
CURRICULUM UNITS FOR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSES AND FOR POLICE TRAINING COURSES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE POLICE-JUVENILE RELATIONS.
Abstract
A 1965-66 PILOT ATTITUDE STUDY OF 1000 CINCINNATI JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS REVEALED THAT THE ATTITUDES OF EARLY ADOLESCENTS TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE MOST DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY THEIR CONTACTS WITH POLICE. THE STUDY SHOWED THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE SAMPLE POPULATION LACKED A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE MISSION AND FUNCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. THIS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OFTEN LEADS TO UNFAVORABLE REACTIONS TO CASUAL POLICE CONTACTS, INTERVIEWS BY POLICE, AND POLICE INTERROGATION. THE TEXT OF THE MANUAL USED IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE, PRIMARILY COMPOSED OF CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR GRADES SEVEN, EIGHT, AND NINE, IS PROVIDED. THESE CURRICULUM GUIDES ARE DETAILED OUTLINES OF DAY-BY-DAY ACTIVITIES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE. ALSO INCLUDED IS A CURRICULUM UNIT DESIGNED TO ACQUAINT THE POLICE TRAINEE WITH THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NATURE OF THE EARLY ADOLESCENT. THIS WORK WILL BE OF INTEREST TO EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH CULTIVATING POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT. (SNI ABSTRACT)