Police Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Crime, the Responsible Service of Alcohol and a Proactive Alcohol Policing Strategy

• NCJ Number: 190060
• Journal: Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 181-191
• Author(s): Kylie L. Smith; John H. Wiggers; Robyn J. Considine; Justine B. Daly; Terry Collins
• Date Published: June 2001
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This Australian study investigated the pattern and predictors of police knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol and crime, the responsible service of alcohol by licensees, and proactive alcohol policing strategies.

Abstract

Operational police in the Hunter region of New South Wales (Australia) who were on duty on a selected weekday were invited to complete a questionnaire during their shift. A total of 298 police participated in the study (77 percent). Police estimated that 60 percent of the incidents to which they responded were related to the consumption of alcohol, with 44 percent of such incidents related to alcohol consumed on licensed premises. Three-quarters of police were able to identify correctly responsible-service components of the Liquor Act. A large proportion of police (93 percent) considered that alcohol servers were responsible for preventing intoxication and that trying to improve licensee serving practices was not a waste of police time (89 percent). Considerable support (67 percent) was shown for police using education rather than enforcement as a method for improving licensee responsible-service practices. Strong support (92 percent) was shown for providing information to licensees about alcohol-related incidents associated with their premises. Only 55 percent of police reported having sufficient skills and 17 percent reported that sufficient police resources were used to enhance licensee alcohol service practices. The introduction of liquor legislation, with an explicit "responsible service of alcohol" emphasis, provided police with considerable opportunity to improve the serving practices of licensed premises and to reduce alcohol-related harm. The perception by police of a lack of skill, a low prioritization for alcohol policing, limited time availability, and inadequate penalties may prevent the realization of these benefits. Enhanced police training and the development of alternative responsible service of alcohol policing strategies are needed if these benefits are to be achieved. 4 tables and 49 references