CITIZEN OBSERVER PROGRAM - A TWO-WAY EXERCISE IN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• NCJ Number: 41537
• Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 46 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 25-28
• Author(s): D W CHASE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE DEVELOPMENT, COSTS, BENEFITS, AND OPERATIONS OF THE MISSOULA (MT) POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE CITIZEN OBSERVER PROGRAM WAS INITIATED IN ORDER TO REACH A LARGE NUMBER OF CITIZENS, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE DAY-TO-DAY PROBLEMS OF THE POLICE, AND CREATE BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN POLICE AND CITIZENS. CITIZENS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM MUST SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY FORM. PARTICIPANTS ARE GIVEN A BRIEFING ON THE RULES OF THE PROGRAM AND A TOUR OF THE STATION BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR RIDE-ALONG EXPERIENCE. RESPONSE TO THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING, WITH CITIZENS OF ALL AGES AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE SHOWING GREAT INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS BENEFITS WITH A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF EXTRA COST TO THE DEPARTMENT....DMC