NCJ Number
88083
Date Published
Unknown
Length
31 pages
Annotation
The police department of Gary, Ind., should establish a police-community relations division for a variety of reasons, including the insufficiency of current efforts in this area and the need to stimulate community interest in the police and law enforcement.
Abstract
Most of the 50 officers interviewed in October 1967 believed that a definite need exists for such a program. The officers also felt that the program should focus on informing the public about the law and penalties for violation, increasing community knowledge about police officers, improving police attitudes toward minority groups, emphasizing services the police officer can offer the community, and emphasizing the importance of community efforts. Training for better community relations should be part of a comprehensive training plan for maintaining and raising police standards. The department should develop a means of internal communication to inform officers about what is being done now, what is contemplated, and what will be done. Other needs are community research to identify priorities for program content and additional dialogue between the newspaper and the police department. Police should also regard themselves as part of the community and should make efforts to understand and communicate with the community more effectively. No references are cited.