NCJ Number
65700
Date Published
1963
Length
53 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE ROLE, ORGANIZATION, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIME PREVENTION BUREAUS IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER AGENCIES IN 50 NATIONS AND TERRITORIES.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION (INTERPOL). IN ALL THE COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES STUDIED, THE POLICE COMBINE PREVENTIVE ACTION WITH THEIR INVESTIGATIVE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES. THE FOUR APPROACHES USED INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE BRANCH OF THE POLICE TO DEAL EXCLUSIVELY WITH CRIME PREVENTION, HAVING A BRANCH OF THE POLICE DEAL WITH CRIME PREVENTION AS WELL AS WITH OTHER DUTIES, HAVING AN INDEPENDENT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BODY DEALING WHOLLY OR PARTLY WITH CRIME PREVENTION, AND HAVING CRIME PREVENTION BE ONE OF THE ENTIRE POLICE FORCE'S GENERAL DUTIES. TRADITIONAL PREVENTIVE ACTION STEMS FROM POLICE OFFICERS' PRESENCE. MODERN PREVENTIVE ACTION TRIES TO REACH OUT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIABLE TO BECOME OFFENDERS OR VICTIMS. POSSIBLE POLICE GOALS INCLUDE EDUCATING AND WARNING THE PUBLIC, ORGANIZATION OF PRACTICAL SAFEGUARDS AGAINST PROPERTY OFFENSES, RESEARCH ON CRIME PREVENTION, REDUCTION OF TENSION IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO PREVENT SERIOUS VIOLENCE OR HOMICIDE, DIAGNOSIS OF PREDELINQUENCY, PREVENTION OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AND HELPING ORGANIZE YOUTHS' LEISURE ACTIVITIES. THE ROLE OF A SPECIAL CRIME PREVENTION BRANCH OF THE POLICE IS TO DEFINE GOALS AND METHODS, ENCOURAGE CRIME PREVENTION, PREPARE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, COORDINATE IMPLEMENTATION OF METHODS CHOSEN, AND SUGGEST LEGISLATION. THE BRANCH SHOULD HAVE A COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFINING GOALS AND METHODS, CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS, AND A RESEARCH BUREAU. ITS FACILITIES SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM THOSE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES. PUBLICITY IS IMPORTANT. (CFW)