NCJ Number
181
Date Published
1970
Length
51 pages
Annotation
HIGH PRIORITY OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL TRAINING FOR URBAN POLICEMEN AT ALL LEVELS.
Abstract
BECAUSE OF SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON POLICE PRACTICES, POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING AT THEIR ROLES WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. THE NECESSITY FOR THE POLICE TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN THE SECURITY OF THE COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, AND TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY HAS LED TO SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN THIS FIELD. THIS REPORT ANALYZES COMPLETED TRAINING PROGRAMS IN THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE; PURPOSE, DESIGN, PRE-PROGRAM PREPARATION, RELATIONSHIP TO THE REMAINDER OF THE DEPARTMENT, PARTICIPANTS, FACILITIES, ADMINISTRATION, CONTENT, STAFF, RESPONSE, COMMUNITY IMPRESSIONS, AND OVERALL OBSERVATIONS. THE THREE PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED AND CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE DRAWN FOR THE MOST EFFICIENT METHOD OF PRESENTING A PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS TRAINING. THE PROGRAM MUST BE COMPREHENSIVE WITH TOTAL BACKING BY THE DEPARTMENT AT ALL LEVELS, AND THE OBJECTIVES MUST BE STATED CLEARLY. THE STAFF, PARTICIPANTS AND CONTENT MUST BE COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER WITH SCHEDULING TAKING INTO ACCOUNT WORK SCHEDULES AND TIME OFF TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY. LASTLY, THERE MUST BE CONTINUOUS AND SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION AS TO ITS EFFECTIVENESS.