NCJ Number
46002
Journal
POLICE LAW QUARTERLY Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 19-28
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN TO EXAMINE THE VARIETY OF POLICE COMMUNITY-RELATIONS (PCR) SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LARGEST POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND TO DEVELOP AN EMPIRICAL TYPOLOGY OF PCR UNITS.
Abstract
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVING MORE THAN 300 SWORN OFFICERS; OF THESE, 85 RESPONDENTS STATED HAVING PUBLICIZED AGENCY-COMMUNITY UNITS. THESE 85 WERE SENT A FURTHER SURVEY PERTAINING TO SERVICES PROVIDED, FUNDING, COMMUNITY RELATIONS RESEARCH AND TRAINING, CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF EMPLOYEES, AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA. ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES INDICATED THAT THE AVERAGE PCR UNIT HAD 10 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND 5 CIVILIANS ASSIGNED TO IT. PCR UNITS HAD BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 5 YEARS OR LESS IN 42 PERCENT OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND FOR 6 OR MORE YEARS IN 58 PERCENT OF THE DEPARTMENTS. A CITIZEN'S ADVISORY GROUP EXISTED IN 30 OF THE CITIES. FACTOR ANALYSIS OF DATA IDENTIFIED 10 FACTORS: SERVICE ORIENTATION, YOUTH ORIENTATION, INTERNAL ORIENTATION, EXTERNAL ORIENTATION, NEWER PCR UNIT RESEARCH AREA, ESTABLISHED PCR UNIT RESEARCH AREA, BROAD-BASED RESEARCH, SIZE, MONEY, AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF PERSONNEL. THE FACTORS FOUND PROVIDE EMPIRICAL SUPPORT FOR BROWN'S (1971) TYPOLOGY OF PCR PROGRAM ORIENTATIONS. ANALYSIS OF FACTOR LOADINGS SUGGESTS A NUMBER OF INTERESTING CORRELATIONS: CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A SERVICE DELIVERY-ORIENTED PROGRAM; THE PRESENCE OF A CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUP IS ASSOCIATED WITH A YOUTH-ORIENTED APPROACH; EXTERNALLY ORIENTED PROGRAMS APPEAR TO DEEMPHASIZE SCHOOL LIAISON AND/OR TEACHING; RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN NEWER UNITS SEEM TO BE DIRECTED TOWARD UNIT ROLE DEFINITION THROUGH CITIZEN INPUT AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF REHABILITATIVE FACTORS, WHILE ESTABLISHED UNITS EMPHASIZE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, MINORITY GROUP RELATIONS, AND INTERVENTION RESEARCH; NEW UNITS APPEAR MORE CONCERNED WITH ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, WHILE OLDER UNITS CONCENTRATE ON SCHOOL LIAISON WORK AND TEACHING; UNITS DOING BROAD-BASED RESEARCH EMPHASIZE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REHABILITATION; LARGER UNITS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUP; INSUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A UNIT EMPHASIS ON OFFICER TRAINING AND ATTITUDES; AND FINALLY, HIGH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT REQUIRED BY THE UNIT FOR EMPLOYMENT IS ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME PREVENTION-CENTERED PROGRAMMING. REFERENCES BUT NO TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)