NCJ Number
91
Date Published
Unknown
Length
52 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT WITH FULL DIVISIONAL STATUS.
Abstract
THE NEED FOR A COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT WITHIN GARY'S POLICE STRUCTURE IS OBVIOUS. GARY'S HETEROGENEOUS COMPOSITION MAKES SUCH VITALLY NECESSARY, AND QUICKLY, IF GARY IS TO RETAIN HER COMPOSURE. VARIOUS COMMUNITY NEEDS MAY BE PARTIALLY MET THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE POLICE STRUCTURE, AND THE DEPARTMENT WILL BENEFIT GREATLY. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE - (1) CREATION OF A COMMUNITY RELATIONS SECTION WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, (2) GIVING THIS SECTION FULL DIVISIONAL STATUS; CONSISTING OF EIGHT MEN AND A COMMANDER, (3) ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS TO ALL SCHOOLS AS WORKING POLICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND WORKING WITH YOUTHS IN THE SCHOOLS, (4) CONTINUATION OF TRAINING IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS TO KEEP OFFICERS AWARE OF PROBLEMS AND THEIR ROLE IN RESOLVING THEM IN THE COMMUNITY, (5) ESTABLISHMENT OF AN IMMEDIATE STORE FRONT OPERATION FOR POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND A REFERRAL SERVICE, (6) KEEPING AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS TO ASSURE THAT ALL COMPLAINTS REFERRED ARE ACTED UPON. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)