NCJ Number
366
Journal
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Dated: (1967) Pages: 303-309
Date Published
1967
Length
7 pages
Annotation
BECAUSE OF INCREASING COMPLEXITY IN CRIMINAL LAW, LAWYERS ARE BEING INTRODUCED INTO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.
Abstract
EVEN THE BEST POLICEMAN OR POLICE ADMINISTRATOR WILL NEED THE ADVICE OF A LAWYER KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ADMINISTRATION AND CRIMINAL LAW. MANY POLICE EXECUTIVES AND STUDIES HAVE RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF A LEGAL ADVISOR UNIT, BUT FEW EMPLOY THEM. THESE ADVISORS COULD PERFORM DUTIES IN RECRUIT AND INSERVICE TRAINING AND PREPARATION OF TRAINING MATERIALS; POLICY PLANNING AND DECISIONS; LIAISON WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND COMMUNITY; AND LIAISON WITH PROSECUTION AND COURTS. THE LEGAL ADVISOR COULD ASSIST THE POLICE OFFICER BY A DEFENSE OF CIVIL SUITS ARISING OUT OF OFFICIAL ACTION, IF THE ADVISOR WERE AVAILABLE AROUND-THE-CLOCK, HE COULD ANSWER KEY QUESTIONS TO PREVENT ILLEGAL SEARCH, INADMISSIBLE CONFESSION. OR OTHER DECISIONS WHICH WOULD CONDEMN AN INVESTIGATION. WHILE A CIVILIAN ADVISOR IS MOST DESIRABLE, A POLICEMANLAWYER OR PERSON FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE MIGHT BE USED. DESPITE THE RECOGNIZED NEED FOR LEGAL PERSONNEL IN POLICE WORK, THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW.