NCJ Number
47846
Date Published
1977
Length
158 pages
Annotation
THE CAREER OF O.W. WILSON, AMERICA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL POLICE SCHOLAR AND ADMINISTRATOR, IS CHRONICLED.
Abstract
O.W. WILSON (1900-1972) CHANGED POLICE ADMINISTRATION THROUGH HIS TEACHINGS, PUBLICATIONS, STUDENTS, SUBORDINATES, AND PERSONAL EXAMPLE. IN MANY WAYS, HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS A HISTORY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN MICROCOSM, FOR IT DEALS WITH THE POLITICAL REALITIES OF POLICE ADMINISTRATION, CORRUPTION, AND REFORM; THE NATURE OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS; THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICE LITERATURE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION; AND THE HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENTS TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE POLICE. DURING HIS CAREER, WILSON SERVED AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THREE POLICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT HIS IMPACT WAS ON THE INSTITUTION OF AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT, RATHER THAN ON A POLICE DEPARTMENT OR DEPARTMENTS IN A SINGLE REGION OF THE COUNTRY. ALL OF WILSON'S REFORM EFFORTS WERE DIRECTED TOWARD ESTABLISHING A POLICE PROFESSION. HOWEVER, IT IS POINTED OUT THAT WILSON'S METHOD OF MILITARY ORGANIZATION DID NOT CREATE PROFESSIONALS OR FOSTER PROFESSIONALISM, NOR DID HE EVER LOOK BEYOND HIS OWN ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL. WILSON BELIEVED THAT A COMMUNITY HAD THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE OF ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT THE MAXIMUM EFFORT TO FIGHT CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, SUPPRESS VICE, AND PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. HE WAS CONVINCED THAT A WELL-ORGANIZED POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD INSTILL PRIDE IN ITS OFFICERS. WHEN HIS PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATION WERE SUPPORTED WITH THE MOST MODERN TACTICAL EQUIPMENT; THE SCIENTIFIC DEPLOYMENT OF MOBILE, WELL-TRAINED, COLLEGE-EDUCATED TROOPS; THE INSTALLATION OF AN ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM; COMPREHENSIVE RECORDKEEPING, AND CONTINUOUS PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM, CORRUPTION WOULD BE AVERTED, AND EFFICIENCY WOULD BECOME THE RULE. SEVERAL KEY POINTS OF WILSON'S THEORY ON POLICE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ARE CRITICIZED, PARTICULARLY HIS LACK OF DEMOCRATIC CONCERNS. WILSON'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDE: (1) ORIGINATING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS; (2) INAUGURATING THE FIRST SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO COMBATING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; (3) INITIATING THE FIRST AMERICAN POLICE COLLEGE CADET PROGRAM; (4) FOUNDING THIS COUNTRY'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY; AND (5) HIRING THE FIRST WOMAN POLICE CAPTAIN. HIS DREAM OF PROFESSIONALIZING THE POLICE WAS NOT TRANSFORMED INTO A NATIONAL MOVEMENT UNTIL THE 1960'S. WILSON, MORE THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE FIGURE, WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS EVOLUTION. THE SQUARE DEAL CODE AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS ARE APPENDED. NOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (JSP)