NCJ Number
48499
Editor(s)
P ROSENBAUM
Date Published
1970
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM PROVIDES SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROPER DISPLAY OF ATTITUDES AMONG PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICERS WHEN FACED WITH A DIFFICULT CONFLICT SITUATION.
Abstract
DRAMATIZATIONS OF SEVERAL CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN POLICE AND GROUPS ON THE STREETS ARE PRESENTED. THE OFFICER'S ATTITUDE AND EXPRESSIONS AS HE APPROACHES THE CONFLICT SITUATION GREATLY INFLUENCE THE ACTIONS OF THE GROUP. IF THE OFFICERS APPEAR TO BE PREPARED FOR ACTION, THE GROUP WILL PROBABLY REACT IN A HOSTILE MANNER. OFFICERS MUST ACT IN A VERY PROFESSIONAL MANNER WHENEVER THERE IS A CHANCE OF OPEN CONFLICT ERUPTING. THESE DRAMATIZATIONS FIRST SHOW THE WRONG WAY OF ACTING AND THEN REPEAT THE SAME SCENE SHOWING HOW THE POLICE OFFICER SHOULD RESPOND IN THE SITUATION TO AVOID PROBLEMS. THE SCENES RANGE FROM DEALING WITH A GROUP OF TEENAGERS TO BREAKING UP A STREET BRAWL AND A SCHOOL PROTEST. OFFICERS ARE INSTRUCTED NOT TO BECOME PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN A CONFLICT BECAUSE THEIR EMOTIONAL REACTIONS MAY OVERCOME THEIR PROPER REACTIONS AS POLICE OFFICER. THE PROFESSIONAL OFFICER MUST NOT BE GOADED INTO ANGER, HE MUST SHOW THAT HE DOES NOT DISLIKE THE GROUP THAT HE IS CONFRONTING, AND HE SHOULD DISPLAY AN ATTITUDE OF NEUTRALITY. BY FOLLOWING PROPER PROCEDURE AND DISPLAYING NEUTRAL BEHAVIOR IN A DISPUTE INVOLVING HOSTILITIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE, THE POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE A NONVIOLENT RESOLUTION.(BAC)