Police-Community Relations Evaluation Project

• NCJ Number: 88096
• Author(s): L P Brown
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 234 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI-075
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report documents findings from a project which attempted to identify the numerous programs operated throughout the United States under the title of police-community relations and to examine the specific criteria used in program evaluation.

Abstract

Data for the project were collected over a 3-year period. Research methodology included a survey of the literature; structured interviews with police officials, community leaders, and police-community relations practitioners; recorded group meetings; nonparticipant observation: descriptive study; and experience study. An effective police-community relations program is one which deals with the prevailing problems of the agency's community. One recurring problem facing police-community relations units is the relationship between the unit and other officers in the police department. Some of the criticisms of these programs include the allegation that community relations officers are not doing police work, that community relations people devote all their time to the community and ignore the police department, and that the police department as a whole is not informed of police-community relations efforts. Presently, police departments are evaluating their community relations programs in the same manner they evaluate other police functions, vis-a-vis, the computation of statistics. Project findings indicate that a variety of research techniques should be employed instead, and that both quantitative and subject criteria should be used. In addition, to ensure objectivity evaluations should be made by external entities such as social science organizations and colleges. Under ideal conditions, an evaluation component should be built into the program from its inception. Subjective data should come from systematic and direct observation; quantitative data should be collected through surveys and document analysis. Such program aspects as public relations, crime prevention efforts, youth programs, and police-community relations training must be considered in any comprehensive evaluation. Approximately 300 footnotes are provided, and a public attitudes document is appended.