DO THE POLICE - OR CAN THE POLICE - OBTAIN THE PUBLIC'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PREVENTION OF CRIME?

• NCJ Number: 65312
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: International Criminal Police Organization
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: France
• Note: REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION TO THE 4TH UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS KYOTO (JAPAN) AUGUST 1970

Annotation

THIS INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ASSOCIATION REPORT EXAMINES WAYS IN WHICH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES CAN FACILITATE AND SUPPLEMENT POLICE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

Abstract

THE OFTEN UNSATISFACTORY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND CITIZENS ARE CAUSED BY THE FORMER'S INABILITY TO ENLIST PUBLIC SUPPORT BY INFORMING AND EDUCATING THE PEOPLE, AS WELL AS BY THE LATTER'S MISINFORMATION CONCERNING POLICE ACTIVITIES ON THEIR BEHALF. PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR POLICE CAN BE EXPRESSED IN VARIOUS WAYS, INCLUDING THE PERFORMANCE BY CITIZENS' ASSOCIATIONS AND VOLUNTEER GROUPS OF SOME POLICE FUNCTIONS (E.G., STREET PATROLS AND OTHER SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES). THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES BY INSTALLING BURGLAR ALARMS, CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISIONS, AUTOMATIC CAMERAS (IN BANKS AND BUSINESSES), AND ANTIHIJACKING DEVICES (IN AIRPORTS). A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN CRIME PREVENTION CONSISTS OF ANTICRIME COUNSELING SOLD TO BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS IN SOME COUNTRIES BY SPECIALIZED COMMERCIAL FIRMS. THE MASS MEDIA COULD ALSO PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE BY TRULY INFORMING THE PUBLIC INSTEAD OF PUBLISHING SENSATIONAL CRIME STORIES. THE POLICE CAN HELP CLOSE THE COMMUNICATIONS GAP BY DEVELOPING A COORDINATED PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN WHICH WOULD INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN POLICE DECISIONMAKING. THIS APPROACH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN GREAT BRITAIN THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITIZEN'S STANDING COMMITTEE. THE POLICE SHOULD ALSO MONITOR CITIZEN ANTICRIME EFFORTS. (LGR)