NCJ Number
43795
Date Published
1977
Length
383 pages
Annotation
TRENDS IN REFORM AND REVITALIZATION IN MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, 1965-1975, ARE ANALYZED, SPECIFIC CHARGES WHICH HAVE IMPROVED POLICING ARE DESCRIBED, AND FACTORS WHICH HAVE LIMITED SUCCESS ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
RESEARCH INTO POLICE ACTIVITIES AND POLICIES HAS BEEN LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE MULTIPLICITY AND DISSIMILARITY OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THE LACK OF A CENTRAL REPOSITORY OF POLICE LITERATURE, AND THE SUSPICIONS OF POLICE ADMINISTRATORS. THESE SUSPICIONS HAVE OFTEN BEEN JUSTIFIED BY RESEARCHERS WHO HAVE TRIED TO PROVE A POINT RATHER THAN GATHER OBJECTIVE DATA. A MAJOR PORTION OF THIS EFFORT HAD BEEN TO OBTAIN AN OVERVIEW OF POLICY AND ATTEMPTS AT REVITALIZATION THROUGH EXTENSIVE SEARCH OF THE LITERATURE AND INTERVIEWS. THE SECOND PORTION OF THE REPORT FOCUSES ON AREAS OF STRATEGIC CHANGE: PATROL, THE INTRODUCTION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES INTO POLICING, POLICE CORRUPTION, AND CIVILIAN REVIEW. CASE STUDIES OF SUCCESSFUL REFORM EFFORTS IN BERKELEY, MENLO PARK, AND LOS ANGELES, CALIF; KANSAS CITY, MO; AND BIRMINGHAM, ALA., ARE GIVEN. OVERALL, REFORM AND REVITALIZATION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN HAMPERED BY A LACK OF INNOVATIVE OUTLOOK AMONG POLICE ADMINISTRATORS, A LACK OF CHANGE STRATEGY WITH REALISTIC GOALS, AND A LACK OF APPRECIATION OF THE EFFECT OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES ON THE POLICE FUNCTION. CHANGE HAS TAKEN PLACE, BUT NOT AS RAPIDLY AS HOPED. THE LACK OF DATA FROM INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO ASSESS JUST WHAT CHANGE AND HOW MUCH CHANGE HAS ACTUALLY OCCURRED. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ARE SEEN IN ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS NOW SEEN AS AN ENTIRE SYSTEM; THERE IS NEW WILLINGNESS TO CONSOLIDATE SMALL DEPARTMENTS, AND LARGE DEPARTMENTS ARE MORE WILLING TO CONTRACT SERVICES. NEW METHODS AND TECHNOLOGY ARE MORE READILY ACCEPTED, PERSONNEL IS BEING UPGRADED, AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE TAKING PLACE. ALSO, NEW ATTACKS ARE BEING MOUNTED ON DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF CRIME WHILE DOMESTIC DISPUTES AND OTHER MINOR MATTERS ARE BEING HANDLED OUTSIDE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A BROADER VIEW OF POLICING IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE REFORM MOVEMENT VIABLE. WAYS TO ACHIEVE THIS ARE SUGGESTED. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED.