HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE POLICE-COMMUNITY SERVICE FUNCTION (FROM POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS - SELECTED READINGS - 2ND ED, 1978, BY PAUL F CROMWELL, JR AND GEORGE KEEFER - SEE NCJ-47600)

• NCJ Number: 47601
• Author(s): J E WHITEHOUSE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 28 pages
• Corporate Author: West Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT FROM JOURNAL OF POLICE SCIENCE AND ADMINISTRATION, V 2, N 1 (1973), P 87-92

Annotation

A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND SERVICES IN EARLY HISTORY, IN 19TH CENTURY BOSTON AND NEW YORK, AND IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY IS PRESENTED WHICH INDICATES THAT THE CONCEPT IS NOT OF RECENT ORIGIN.

Abstract

COMMUNITY RELATIONS IS DEFINED AS THOSE ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO EVALUATE PUBLIC ATTITUDES, IDENTIFY PUBLIC INTEREST POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO EARN PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE. COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF A NONCRIMINAL NATURE. AN EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY-POLICE RELATIONS AND SERVICES FOUND IN EARLY HISTORY IS THAT OF THE ARAB POLICE OF 1200 YEARS AGO WHOSE FUNCTIONS INCLUDED POSTAL SERVICE, INSPECTION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, SUPERVISION OF COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS, PROTECTION OF SLAVES AND BEASTS OF BURDEN FROM ABUSE, AND FINDING HUSBANDS FOR WIDOWS. THE DUTIES OF THE ENGLISH CONSTABLE IN 1835 INCLUDED POSTAL SERVICE IN OUTLYING AREAS, MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL OF SANITATION, RELIEF OF DESTITUTION, ISSUE AND CONTROL OF ALL LICENSES, FIREFIGHTING, AND INSPECTION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. POLICE IN BOSTON IN THE MIDDLE 1900'S HANDLED HEALTH, WELFARE, AND MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNITY DUTIES. WHICH INCLUDE REFERRAL TO PHYSICIANS, INSPECTION OF SANITARY CONDITIONS, ADMINISTRATION OF THE MUNICIPAL CHARITY FUND FOR THE DESTITUTE, PROVISION OF LODGINGS IN POLICE STATIONS, FIREFIGHTING, AND OFFERING ADVICE AND PROTECTION TO IMMIGRANTS AND TRAVELERS IN PUBLIC STREETS. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY, MANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING INDIVIDUAL CONDITIONS OF DISTRESS AND/OR ASSISTED WITH PROBATION DUTIES AND IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES. FOR INSTANCE IN NEW YORK CITY, THE POLICE INITIATED A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH, ESTABLISHED A FUND FOR THE NEEDY AND HELPED MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR FOOD AND FUEL, AND ESTABLISHED PAROLE AND PROBATION SERVICES STAFFED BY SWORN OFFICERS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT YESTERDAY'S POLICEMAN PROVIDED A NUMBER OF HEALTH, WELFARE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES, APPARENTLY WITHOUT CONFLICT ABOUT THEIR ENFORCEMENT AND HELPING ROLES. (JAP)