NCJ Number
58999
Journal
DANSKPOLITI Issue: 16 Dated: (NOVEMBER 8, 1978) Pages: 348-355
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A DANISH POLICE OFFICER DESCRIBES HIS EXPERIENCES WORKING ALONGSIDE NEW YORK POLICE DURING HIS FEW DAYS PARTICIPATION IN FRIENDSHIP FORCE, AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR POLICE BEGUN IN 1973.
Abstract
THE VISITING OFFICER SPENT TIME BOTH IN THE POLICE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER AND ON PATROL. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXPERIENCE INCLUDED A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT NEW YORK'S NEW RADIO AND TELEPHONE SYSTEM WHICH COSTS SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AND WAS PUT INTO OPERATION IN OCTOBER 1973. THE RADIO STATION IS HOOKED UP WITH THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM, AND 62 OPERATORS (INCLUDING 4 SPANISH SPEAKING OPERATORS) ATTEND THE 24-HOUR SYSTEM ANSWERING THE THOUSANDS OF DAILY CALLS. THE RADIO STATION TRANSMITS INFORMATION TO PATROLS ALL OVER THE CITY AS WELL AS TO THE CITY'S MANY BRANCHES AND TO FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES. IN TURN, THESE PARTIES CAN OBTAIN A VARIETY OF INFORMATION FROM THE RADIO OPERATORS CONCERNING PERSONS THEY HAVE DETAINED OR ARRESTED. THE VISITOR WAS ASSIGNED TO PATROL AND ACCOMPANIED AN OFFICER TO BOTH HIGH-INCOME AND LOW-INCOME PARTS OF THE CITY. AMONG THE VISITOR'S DISCOVERIES WERE THAT NEW YORK POLICE OFFICERS CARRY WEAPONS ON ALL PATROLS AND ARE ALLOWED TO CARRY THE WEAPON OF THEIR CHOICE, THAT GREAT CONTRASTS OCCUR BETWEEN THE AFFLUENT AND THE POOR PARTS OF THE CITY WHERE DRUGS ARE SOLD OPENLY ON THE STREET AND POLICE ARE RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THEIR CARS (WHEN THEY MUST EXIT THEY DO SO WITH THEIR WEAPONS DRAWN), AND THAT REGULATIONS PROHIBIT OFFICERS FROM STOPPING A VEHICLE AND DETAINING AND QUESTIONING A PASSENGER WITHOUT HAVING PROBABLE CAUSE TO DO SO.