NCJ Number
70564
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 45-48
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Yorkshire Community Constable Program (CCP) in England, designed to regain lagging community support for police by assigning permanent officers to certain areas, favorably affected at least one high-crime housing project.
Abstract
Although the British police constable was seen in the past as friendly and caring, his image has become badly tarnished as community life and order has broken down. Police have become more mobile and distant, influxes of Asians and West Indians have caused racial tensions, and new urban housing projects have brought in community disaffection. The West Yorkshire CCP was introduced in 1974 to regain community support in the most hostile areas through regular patrols of constables well-known in their areas, who also become involved in community activities. The program was aimed at poor and minority neighborhoods, with the constables chosen for their high motivation. The influence of two community constables as observed on a large housing project, Holmewood, to which they were assigned. It was found that they helped begin a land improvement project which greatly pleased Holmewood residents, rescued citizens from harrassment, helped raise money for a center for the mentally handicapped, and solved many crimes. The constables' knowledge of the residents, many of whom had begun to consider them as friends, greatly helped their efforts. Although crime detection rates in Holmewood are not better than those in other areas, criminal damage was decreased. Many other police performance measures, such as crime prevention, are difficult to assess. All community constables receive a week's training in crime prevention and other topics. Tables and one footnote are included.