NCJ Number
71051
Date Published
1979
Length
82 pages
Annotation
The operations of four Law Enforcement-Race Relations Committees established in Metropolitan Toronto in 1977-79 to promote communication between police and minorities are analyzed and assessed.
Abstract
Three objectives were developed for the pilot committees: (1) to develop a structure that would increase communication between police officials and visible minority groups, (2) to provide members of visible minorities with a channel for conveying their attitudes about police practices to appropriate police officials, and (3) to provide opportunities to interpret methods and procedures associated with effective policing. The monitoring of the pilot committees revealed mixed results. Although the committees have the potential for establishing and maintaining a constructive dialogue between the police and visible minorities, changes are needed in the composition and functioning of the committee and in the input and attitudes of the community and police members. The committees did provide a structure that enabled police and members of the community to meet on a regular basis. Only limited use was made of the structure provided for conveying attitudes of minorities to police officials, because the committees usually dealt with specific complaints rather than patterns of complaints or problems. The need for a fresh look at the limitations of traditional police practices in establishing an ongoing working relationship between police and community is emphasized. Footnotes are provided. Appendixes list committee meetings and interviews and describe an outreach project.