NCJ Number
48209
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE INCREASE IN CRIME, PARTICULARLY IN BLACK COMMUNITIES, IS DISCUSSED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND REFORM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
CRIME IS NOTED AS BEING PARTICULARLY SERIOUS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES, LEADING TO TWO MAJOR CONSEQUENCES - A HIGH RATE OF IMPRISONMENT FOR BLACKS AND A HIGH RATE OF VICTIMIZATION FOR BLACKS. PRESENT MEANS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS ARE DEEMED TO BE FAILING, AND WHILE REFORM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL, SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS ARE PINPOINTED AS THE BASIC CAUSES OF CRIME, REQUIRING ACTION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. RESEARCH AND REFORM ISSUES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BRIEFLY DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIVE MERITS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR POLICE OFFICERS, TEAM POLICING AS A MEANS OF INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEIGHBORHOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT, A REASSESSMENT OF THE PRIORITY RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, COOPERATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND SOCIAL SERVICE PERSONNEL IN CRIME PREVENTION, SELECTION METHODS FOR POLICE LEADERSHIP, CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, RECRUITMENT OF QUALIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, WITH EMPHASIS ON MINORITY HIRING; POLICE TRAINING, COMPLAINT PROCEDURES, FIREARMS POLICIES ADOPTED BY POLICE AGENCIES, POLICE CORRUPTION, AND METHODS TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. EACH OF THESE TOPICS IS BRIEFLY DISCUSSED, WITH FREQUENT REFERENCE TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREGON, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. (RCB)