NCJ Number
48661
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
SEVERAL POLICE-RELATED SOCIAL ISSUES ARE NOTED, INCLUDING PUBLIC/POLICE ALIENATION, THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE, TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, THE ENFORCEMENT OF MORALS LAWS, AND THE POLICE CAREER.
Abstract
PUBLIC/POLICE ALIENATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE AND THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATING ALIENATION STARTS WITH THE ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS TO CLEARLY DEFINED NEIGHBORHOODS ON AN ALMOST PERMANENT BASIS, WHERE THEY CAN BECOME THE AREA'S SPECIFIC POLICE OFFICER AND DEVELOP A PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION WITH THE PROBLEMS OF ITS RESIDENTS. OVER TIME, COGNITIVE CONSONANCE WILL OPERATE TO CHANGE POLICE AND PUBLIC ATTITUDES. ON THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE, EXCEPT FOR THE NEED OF AN OFFICER CONFRONTED WITH A LIFE-THREATENING ATTACK TO USE DEADLY FORCE IN SELF-DEFENSE, THE PUBLIC HAS THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO DECIDE WHEN THEIR POLICE SHOULD USE FIREARMS IN THE COURSE OF ROUTINE POLICE FUNCTIONING. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRITERIA AND POLICIES REGARDING THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE SHOULD BE PURSUED IN AN OPEN, PUBLIC FORUM, BECAUSE EXCEPT FOR THOSE EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS INVOLVING BARRICADED CRIMINALS OR HOSTAGES, THE ABILITY TO USE DEADLY FORCE IS A LEGITIMATE OPTION THE POLICE MUST BE PREPARED TO EXERCISE, BUT ONLY WITHIN THE LIMITS MANDATED BY THE CITIZENS. TRAFFIC AND MORALS LAWS ENFORCEMENT FALL INTO MUCH THE SAME CATEGORIES: BOTH ARE ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE FALLEN TO THE POLICE. HOWEVER, MORE TACTFUL AND REASONABLE APPROACHES TO THESE ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS CAN BE PURSUED. IN THE AREA OF TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMPUTER TARGETING OF AREAS OF ENFORCEMENT NEED CAN SERVE TO APPORTION POLICING TO THE MORE ACCIDENT PRONE LOCALITIES -- THE AREAS BEST SERVED BY THIS MUCH CRITICIZED ASPECT OF THE POLICE ROLE. ON THE ISSUE OF MORALS LAWS ENFORCEMENT, THE POLICE SHOULD MAKE A CLEAR STATEMENT OF PRIORITIES FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF LIMITED RESOURCES AND SHOULD OBTAIN FULL CITIZEN INPUT IN SETTING THESE PRIORITIES. THUS, THE PUBLIC CAN HELP DECIDE WHETHER TO SPEND VALUABLE POLICE MANPOWER ENFORCING LAW AGAINST LARGELY VICTIMLESS CRIMES. 'POLICE CAREER' PROFESSIONALIZATION IS DICUSSED. CLEARLY, OLD GUARD LINE OFFICERS MUST IN TIME BE REPLACED BY A NEW BREED OF HIGHLY EDUCATED, PROFESSIONALLY MOTIVATED OFFICERS. TO THIS END, EVERY COMMAND POSITION SHOULD BE SYSTEMATICALLY FILLED WITH OFFICERS CAPABLE OF ABANDONING TRADITIONAL POLICE MYTHS AND PROCEEDING WITH INNOVATIVE METHODS THAT DEMONSTRATE A GENUINE CONCERN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE OF THE SERVICE COMMUNITY. (KBL)