NCJ Number
51217
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 62-67
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
MUTUAL ACCESS BETWEEN THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE CITIZENRY AND THE POLICE CHIEF'S MANAGEMENT OF THIS ACCESS ARE DISCUSSED AS THE CONTEXT AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR SMALL MUNICIPAL POLICE FORCES.
Abstract
GENERALIZING FROM HIS OWN EXPERIENCE AS A POLICE CHIEF IN A SMALL MUNICIPALITY, THE AUTHOR CONSIDERS THAT PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY IS MAXIMIZED IN THE WORK OF THE SMALL TOWN POLICE CHIEF. IT IS ADVISED THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS ACCESS BY AND TO THE COMMUNITY MUST BE PERFORMED BY THE CHIEF SO AS TO ACHIEVE A BROAD AND OBJECTIVE PATTERN OF CONTACT BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE POLICE. BROAD CONTACT INVOLVES THE AVOIDANCE OF POLICE IDENTIFICATION WITH AND FAVORITISM TOWARD ONE SEGMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIFORM PATTERNS OF CONTACT WITH ALL ELEMENTS OF THE CONSTITUENCY SERVED. THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF OBJECTIVE ACCESS INVOLVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CLEAR PROCEDURES AND PRIORITIES IN THE USE OF POLICE DISCRETION EMPLOYED ON THE BASIS OF AN ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF A BROAD-BASE OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND VALUES. THESE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY COOPERATION WITH THE POLICE. THE USE OF MINIMAL FORCE EVEN IN THE FACE OF PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES IS ADVISED, COUPLED WITH UNIFORMITY IN DISCRETION. SUGGESTIONS FOR MANAGING THE POLICE CHIEF'S INTERACTION WITH CITY COUNCIL ARE OFFERED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO BUDGET FORMULATION AND PRESENTATION. RECOGNIZING THAT SALARY INCREASES ARE A RARITY FOR SMALL MUNICIPAL POLICE FORCES, NONMONETARY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES, SUCH AS COMPENSATION TIME, COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT, JOB FULFILLMENT, AND FAIR TREATMENT, ARE DISCUSSED.