NCJ Number
171104
Journal
Policing Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (1997) Pages: 532-554
Date Published
1997
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Research was conducted to determine how effective the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) has been in reaching the goal of inculcating the civilian police in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) with the West's value system of citizen-friendly policing.
Abstract
The analysis considered policing in the two areas both before and after the unification of October 3, 1990. Information was collected by means of a literature review, interviews and correspondence with State and Federal officials of the FRG, and a content analysis of the German weekly newsmagazine Der Spiegel. Results revealed that the government of the FRG had three main goals: (1) to organize the police in the former GDR along the organizational principles of the FRG, (2) to equip and modernize police operations in the former GDR, and (3) create a citizen-friendly police. The FRG's policing model was in place within 3 years of unification; police equipment and technology in the East has been brought to the standards of the West. However, the FRG recognizes that a continuing effort is required to bring the proficiency level of the police in the East up to the western standard. In addition, the population does not yet trust the police in the new states. Findings indicated that it will probably take a considerable period of time to achieve the goal of citizen-friendly police in the East, given the economic, political, and social turbulence of the past several years. This goal can be achieved only when police practices are matched by citizen perceptions. Tables, notes, and 70 references