NCJ Number
2520
Date Published
1971
Length
28 pages
Annotation
ROLE OF THE POLICEMAN IN THE FUTURE BASED ON PROJECTIONS FROM PRESENT SOCIETAL DYNAMICS.
Abstract
PATROL TASKS OF THE FUTURE WILL BE MUCH LIKE THOSE OF THE PRESENT. THERE WILL BE UNPLANNED NEAR TERM, PLANNED NEAR TERM, AND FUNDAMENTAL LONG TERM CHANGES. THE NEAR TERM CHANGES WILL NOT AFFECT IMPORTANTLY THE ROUTINE PATROL TASK, WHEREAS LONG TERM CHANGES MAY HAVE A GREAT EFFECT ON POLICE ROLE BUT ARE TOO DISTANT FOR PRESENT PLANNING. POLICEMEN, WILL STILL COME FROM WORKING AND LOWER-MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES, WILL BE OF AVERAGE TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE IN INTELLIGENCE, AND WILL BE HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO ETHNIC AND RACIAL DIFFERENCES. MANY MAY HAVE MORE YEARS OF SCHOOLING, BUT THE MAIN TASKS FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATORS WILL BE TO IMPROVE SELECTION STANDARDS AND RESHAPE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THE ABILITY OF MEN TO HANDLE COMPLEX, STRESSFUL, DANGEROUS, AND CONFLICT-LADEN SITUATIONS IN WAYS THAT SERVE BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ORDER MAINTENANCE OBJECTIVES. SEE NCJ-09141.